By John Umeh
In the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian politics, every handshake, photo-op, and shared meal carries the weight of symbolism. This morning, former Vice President and PDP stalwart, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, broke bread with former Osun State Governor and APC chieftain, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, at the latter’s residence. The meeting, though seemingly informal, is raising eyebrows and stirring speculation within political circles.
With the 2027 general elections beginning to glimmer on the horizon, the timing of this gathering is particularly curious. Atiku remains a prominent figure in opposition politics, while Aregbesola, despite recent tensions within the APC, commands considerable grassroots influence in the Southwest. Could this breakfast signal the beginning of a strategic realignment or merely a personal visit between old allies?
Regardless of the intention, the optics of the meeting are powerful. In a political culture where loyalty is often transactional and alliances shift like sand dunes, this encounter invites questions about possible coalitions, reconciliation efforts, or covert consensus-building across party lines.
For Nigerians weary of partisan warfare and yearning for visionary leadership, such cross-party dialogues—if sincere—may offer a glimmer of hope. But in the realpolitik of Nigerian democracy, only time will reveal whether this breakfast was a mere social call or a calculated move on the chessboard of 2027.
