Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has said his private meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was “a courtesy call” and not about politics.  

On Monday, Mr Atiku arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta at exactly 12:36 p.m. and went into a closed-door meeting with his former boss.  

The former vice president, accompanied by former governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke; former governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal; and Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, was received by Mr Obasanjo’s ally, Oyewole Fasawe.  

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, which lasted over two hours, Mr Atiku said his discussion with Mr Obasanjo was not about politics.  

“I am here on a courtesy call. I am not here to talk politics. I was not in Abeokuta to see Obasanjo because of 2027.  

“It is a courtesy visit. I’m not going to talk about 2027 or politics. I’m not here because of 2027,” he said after being asked about the purpose of his visit.  

Mr Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, had earlier confirmed the meeting between his principal and Mr Obasanjo.  

Recall that Mr Atiku served as vice president under Mr Obasanjo’s administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2007.  

Mr Atiku has been advocating for coalition talks with other opposition leaders in the country, aiming to form an alliance to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.  

Mr Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) met late last year at the Adamawa residence of the PDP leader to discuss forming an alliance.