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Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has visited former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a meeting that comes amid intensified political consultations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
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Atiku disclosed the meeting on Wednesday, describing Aisha Buhari’s visit as “warm and deeply appreciated”, while neither side publicly disclosed the details or purpose of their discussions.
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The former Vice-President used the occasion to highlight the economic pressures facing Nigerian families, citing the rising costs of food, transportation, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.
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Atiku said those seeking a better Nigeria must put the welfare, dignity and future of citizens first, calling for efforts to ease the burden on families, restore hope and build an economy that rewards hard work.
September 17, (THEWILL) – Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has visited former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a development that has generated fresh political interest as parties and political actors intensify preparations and consultations ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku disclosed the visit in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, describing his meeting with the former First Lady as “warm and deeply appreciated.”
The former Vice-President did not disclose the purpose of the visit or the issues discussed during the meeting. He also made no direct reference to the 2027 election in his account of the encounter.
Instead, Atiku used the occasion to speak about the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians and what he described as the responsibility of those seeking to provide leadership in the country.
“Today, I was delighted to receive former First Lady, H.E. Aisha Buhari. Her visit was warm and deeply appreciated,” Atiku wrote.
He said the meeting was also a reminder of the responsibility facing people seeking to build a better Nigeria.
“Beyond the courtesies of the occasion, it was also a reminder of the urgent responsibility before all who seek a better Nigeria: to put the welfare, dignity and future of our people first,” he said.
According to Atiku, families across the country are facing increasing pressure from the rising cost of essential goods and services.
He listed food, transportation, education and healthcare among the major areas putting pressure on household finances.
“Across our country, families are being stretched by the rising cost of food, transport, education, healthcare and other basic necessities,” he said.
Atiku argued that Nigerians deserve an economy that creates opportunities and allows citizens to live with dignity.
“Nigerians deserve an economy that rewards hard work, restores opportunity and allows every family to live with dignity and hope,” he said.
He added that building such a country would require collective action to reduce the burden on citizens and restore hope.
“That is the Nigeria we must build together, a country that works for its people again. We must ease the burden, restore hope and Make Nigeria Affordable Again,” the former Vice-President said.
Political Background
The meeting comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and political figures engaged in consultations and efforts to build political alliances.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
The ADC has emerged as a major platform in ongoing opposition efforts and political realignments ahead of the next presidential contest.
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Aisha Buhari is the widow of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who governed Nigeria between 2015 and 2023.
Atiku and the late Buhari were political opponents in the 2019 presidential election, when Atiku contested against Buhari as the PDP presidential candidate.
Atiku again contested the presidency in 2023, this time against Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who went on to win the election.
The political history between Atiku and the Buhari family has consequently added significance to Wednesday’s meeting, particularly at a time when politicians are positioning themselves for the 2027 contest.
However, neither Aisha Buhari nor Atiku has publicly described the meeting as a political engagement, and there is no indication from their statements that the former First Lady endorsed Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid.
Atiku’s public comments following the meeting focused instead on the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
His renewed emphasis on affordability and household welfare also fits into his broader political messaging ahead of 2027, as opposition figures continue to scrutinise the economic policies and performance of the Bola Tinubu administration.
The former Vice-President has consistently made economic opportunity, cost of living and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians major elements of his political argument.
Wednesday’s statement followed the same line, with Atiku calling for an economy that would enable Nigerians to benefit from their work and provide their families with basic necessities.
The encounter has nevertheless generated political interest because of its timing and the political backgrounds of the two figures.
With political consultations and realignments gathering momentum ahead of 2027, meetings involving prominent political figures are increasingly being watched for possible implications for the emerging presidential contest.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
