Former VP Atiku visits Nasir El-Rufai after a failed arrest attempt, sparking mixed reactions over politics and potential 2027 leadership implications
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai following a failed attempt by security operatives to arrest the African Democratic Congress, ADC, leader upon his return to Nigeria on 12 February.
Also read: Atiku Abubakar Backs ADC Candidate for AMAC Council Election
Atiku announced the visit on social media, describing it as a gesture of solidarity. “Last night, I paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor of Kaduna State and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following the failed attempt by the partisan ICPC to arrest him at the airport upon his arrival in the country,” he wrote.
The visit has sparked a variety of reactions across Nigeria. Supporters hailed the meeting as a significant moment for potential 2027 leadership, with one commentator noting: “One of these two men will lead Nigeria in 2027.
Today’s historic photo of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai marks a defining moment where ambition, experience, and the future of Nigeria converge.”
Other Nigerians cautioned against politicising the arrest, questioning whether El-Rufai had fully disclosed ongoing investigations by the EFCC.
Critics suggested that framing the attempted arrest as partisan undermines the integrity of law enforcement and the judicial process.
Also read: Atiku Visits Nasir El-Rufai After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt
Observers note that the event has intensified public debate over the intersection of politics, legal accountability, and upcoming national elections, highlighting the polarised perspectives within Nigeria’s political landscape.
