On Saturday, June 22, former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, visited ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. This visit has stirred political speculation among Nigerians and political analysts.

Atiku Abubakar arrived at Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport in Katsina at approximately 11:25 am. He traveled on a private jet and was seen heading straight to Daura to meet Buhari at his home. The visit was marked by a significant entourage, highlighting its importance.

Accompanying Atiku on this visit were several notable figures. These included former Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri, and various party stakeholders and supporters. The presence of these high-profile individuals added to the visit’s political weight.

After the meeting, Atiku spoke with journalists in Katsina. He explained that his visit was to congratulate former President Buhari and the Emir of Daura on the successful Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. He emphasized the cultural and religious significance of the festival, framing the visit as a gesture of goodwill.

However, the visit has not gone without scrutiny. Reacting to photos and reports from the visit, Doyin Okupe, a political commentator, and former presidential aide, voiced the opinion of many Nigerians who believe that the visit was politically motivated. Okupe and others speculate that Atiku’s visit to Buhari is a strategic move with an eye on the 2027 presidential election.

This speculation is fueled by Atiku’s recent statements expressing his intention to continue contesting for the presidency as long as he remains healthy. This persistence suggests that his visit to Buhari could be part of a broader political strategy.