FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday paid a visit to former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State, fueling fresh speculation about their involvement in political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obasanjo arrived via Ahmed Bola Tinubu International Airport in Minna, where he was received by protocol officials from the Niger State Government House before proceeding directly to Babangida’s residence.
Sources told newsmen that the two leaders held a closed-door meeting lasting about 30 minutes, after which Obasanjo returned to the airport.
Insiders suggest the visit may be linked to national issues and preparations for the 2027 elections, which are already gaining momentum.
Obasanjo has recently been associated with reports suggesting he is orchestrating a joint ticket featuring Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as presidential and vice-presidential candidates under the coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This ticket is reportedly designed to first challenge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the party’s nomination and, if successful, offer a broader opposition challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The reports further indicate that an alternative plan is being considered for Obi and Kwankwaso to contest on another platform if they fail to secure the ADC ticket.
Babangida is also said to have encouraged Kwankwaso to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the ADC as part of this wider political strategy.
Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida has formally commented on the speculations, but political observers view yesterday’s meeting as a significant step in these ongoing arrangements.