2027 Political Chess Begins: Ganduje Leads APC Chiefs to Buhari After Atiku, El-Rufai Visit Fuels Merger Speculations

KADUNA, Nigeria — The political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections is already heating up as Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence—just hours after an unexpected visit by key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai.

The high-profile back-to-back visits have set off widespread speculation about a possible northern coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s reelection ambitions in 2027.

Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, Others Visit Buhari Amid Coalition Rumors

Earlier on Friday, a delegation of northern political heavyweights—many from opposition parties—paid a surprise post-Sallah visit to former President Buhari. Among them were:

Atiku Abubakar – Former Vice President & PDP Presidential Candidate
Nasir El-Rufai – Former Governor of Kaduna State
Waziri Tambuwal – Former Governor of Sokoto State
Gabriel Suswam – Former Governor of Benue State
Jibrilla Bindow – Former Governor of Adamawa State
Achike Udenwa – Former Governor of Imo State

The visit, held at Buhari’s private residence in Kaduna, has triggered speculation of a political realignment and potential merger of northern political forces to oppose the Tinubu-led APC in 2027.

Observers say the meeting, involving prominent critics of Tinubu’s administration, is likely part of a strategic effort to court Buhari’s support or at least signal dissatisfaction with the current administration’s treatment of the North.

Atiku, El-Rufai Deny Political Motives, Call Visit a “Brotherly Homage”

Responding to growing speculation, both Atiku and El-Rufai have downplayed the political implications of the visit.

Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku stated:

“Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari... It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”

Similarly, El-Rufai dismissed the meeting as purely social and spiritual in nature:

“By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood... Since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor.”

Ganduje Reacts: 'Opposition Coalition is Doomed to Fail'

In what appeared to be a counter-move, APC Chairman Ganduje led the party’s top officials to meet Buhari at the same location, just hours after the opposition visit.

Speaking after the meeting, Ganduje dismissed the possibility of any credible opposition alliance, referring to it as a “joint venture that will fail.”

“We are not worried at all. This is just history trying to repeat itself... They went on a joint venture which will not work because from what we have seen, there are just some particles that cannot come together,” Ganduje stated.

He further emphasized the ruling party’s strength, pointing out that APC controls 21 state governors and remains the “strongest party in West Africa.”

“We are eyeing other states that will come into our fold. Either the governors themselves will come, or we go for election and defeat them to increase our tally,” he added.

What’s at Stake in 2027?

The recent sequence of visits underscores the deepening political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku and El-Rufai have both been linked to a proposed coalition aimed at unseating Tinubu, citing perceived marginalization of the North and dissatisfaction with current appointments and policy direction.

Atiku had earlier announced a coalition platform through a group known as Concerned Leaders and Political Stakeholders in Nigeria, where the primary goal is to mobilize national support to defeat the APC.

Although still informal, political analysts say the groundwork is being laid for a powerful opposition front capable of challenging Tinubu's grip on power—especially if economic and security challenges persist.

Conclusion

While both camps continue to downplay political motives, the timing and coordination of these visits suggest a deeper strategic maneuvering ahead of 2027. As Nigeria’s political terrain starts to take shape, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s role as a power broker—either as an influencer within the APC or a silent kingmaker in the North—remains one to watch closely.

Whether these early moves result in a full-blown realignment or fizzle into post-Sallah formalities, one thing is clear: the battle for 2027 has quietly begun.