COALITION UPDATE: Atiku makes inroad to Yoruba stronghold of politics, as ex-VP visits, has breakfast with Aregbesola
By KEMI KASUMU
With a Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai in the North, Rauf Aregbesola in the South West and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in the South South to complement the effort in the South East, which has naturally either been Atiku’s or PDP’s stronghold, the clouds over the coalition are actually gathering for a heavy rainfall, according Lauretta Onochie.
The DEFENDER reports that the move towards cementing a formidable coalition to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 got more interesting, on Friday May 23, 2025, as former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, paid a historical visit to former Governor of the State of Osun and Buhari’s Minister of the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, at his Ilesha residence in the state.
According to a source, Atiku, who is the Wazirin Adamawa and visitor of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, was sighted having breakfast with the Omoluabi Movement leader in his house.
According to a video watched by this global online newspaper, it was said that while Atiku, who drove in an SUV clad in light green kaftan with ‘gobi’ Yoruba cap to match, was personally received by an enthusiastic Aregbesola who came out for same purpose amidst deafening sound of talking drums and songs welcoming him and his entourage to Osun State.
While he (Atiku) was in his (Aregbesola’s) living room, the drummers’ talking drums were clearly heard with Ogbeni’s supporters singing along saying, “2027, Tinubu o lule ni (meaning, 2027, Tinubu will definitely be defeated).”
Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media and later Chairman of the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), during the last administration, Lauretta Onochie, who also posted the video on her verified Facebook timeline, reacted that, “THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING FOR A HEAVY RAINFALL… Former VP, HE Atiku Abubakar was guest of my brother, HE Rauf RAUF AREGBESOLA. God bless Nigeria,” she said.
In the meantime, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed the visit by posting the same video clip with a short message, “Breakfast at the residence of former Governor of Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola. -AA”
A further look into the video revealed that former Vice President Namadi Sambo rode with Atiku in the same car during the visit to Aregbesola’s Ilesha home on Friday.
According to Our Reporter, Atiku and Sambo were in Osun State as guests to grace the official coronation ceremony of the new Owa Obokun of Ijesha Land in Ilesha, which was performed by the Governor of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
They both seized the opportunity to visit Aregbesola, a development that many have interpreted to be for political reason.
The visit in Friday has been discussed in several circles to mean that the former vice president is making an inroad to Yoruba stronghold of politics with Aregbesola now in the coalition moves.
With a Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai in the North, Rauf Aregbesola in the South West and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in the South South to complement the effort in the South East, which has naturally either been Atiku’s or PDP’s stronghold, the clouds over the coalition are actually gathering for a heavy rainfall, according Lauretta Onochie.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF VISIT
