ATIKU, MAKINDE HOLD CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH BABANGIDA IN MINNA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), at his hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku said his visit to Niger State was aimed at strengthening the structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, dismissing speculations that the engagement was linked to the 2027 presidential election.
“At this point, this is not about me contesting elections. It is about Nigerians who want electronic transmission of election results,” Atiku said.
He explained that his consultations focused on the growing demand by Nigerians for real-time electronic transmission of election results, which he said would enhance transparency and significantly reduce electoral disputes.
According to him, the current arrangement allowing a mix of electronic and manual transmission of results was deliberately designed to create confusion and chaos during elections.
“The preference of Nigerians is clear. They want real-time electronic transmission of results. What we have now is a mixture of electronic and manual uploading, which only causes confusion and chaos,” he stated.
Atiku called on opposition political parties across the country to unite and resist the Senate’s decision to adopt manual transmission of election results, urging them not to allow the matter to be laid to rest.
“We need all opposition political parties to pursue this issue. We should not allow it to rest the way they want it to rest at the Senate,” he said.
He also disclosed that the ADC is currently focused on grassroots mobilisation, with efforts underway to strengthen the party’s structures from the ward level up to the national level.
“I am a member of the ADC, and we are working to ensure our structures are firmly rooted from the ward to the local government, state, and national levels. We are mobilising and registering members across the country,” Atiku added.
Although Atiku did not reveal the specific purpose of his visit to General Babangida, he noted that it was not his first visit to the elder statesman.
Governor Makinde, on his part, declined to speak with journalists. He reportedly remained in the inner chamber of Babangida’s residence after Atiku’s departure, with journalists later informed that the governor was on a private visit and would not grant any interview.
Reporters were subsequently asked to leave the premises, though some waited outside to observe his eventual departure.
Atiku arrived in Minna at about 1:30 p.m. and proceeded directly from the airport to Babangida’s residence. Governor Makinde arrived later at about 2:10 p.m., approximately 30 minutes after Atiku had left.
The former vice president was accompanied by several ADC leaders and stakeholders, including the party’s Rivers State governorship aspirant, Baba Agaie; former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Ben Obi; Senator Ozemina from Edo State; Niger State ADC Chairman, Musa Hassan, and other party officials.
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