Separate Visits, Different Meetings, Joint Dialogue: Details of Atiku, Makinde Talks With IBB in Minna
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday paid separate visits to former military president Ibrahim Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
Abubakar arrived shortly after 1 p.m. and went into a closed-door meeting with Babangida. Makinde arrived later at about 2:10 p.m.
The two politicians held separate and joint discussions with the elder statesman, although the details of the meetings were not disclosed.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Atiku said his visit to Niger State was focused on strengthening the structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and was unrelated to the 2027 presidential election.
“I am a member of ADC, and we are working to ensure that our structures are firmly rooted from the ward to the local government, state, and national levels,” he said.
“We are mobilising and registering members. This is not my first time visiting Babangida. I came to pay my respects. The issue of contesting the 2027 election did not arise.”
Atiku also addressed the ongoing debate over the amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly the push for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
He urged opposition parties to unite in rejecting the Senate’s preference for manual transmission and to continue advocating for full electronic reforms.
He reaffirmed that, as an ADC member, he is prioritising grassroots mobilisation, ward-level registration, and strengthening party structures nationwide.
The former vice-president was accompanied by several ADC leaders and stakeholders, including Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun State, and Ben Obi, a former senator.
Makinde, who remained inside after Atiku’s departure, declined to speak with journalists.
Separate Visits, Different Meetings, Joint Dialogue: Details of Atiku, Makinde Talks With IBB in Minna
Byadmin
Feb 11, 2026