Former Vice President and presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, has departed Nigeria for Saudi Arabia ahead of the anticipated African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary activities linked to the 2027 presidential election.
A video shared on Atiku’s official social media platforms and seen by 9News Nigeria showed the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate being accompanied by aides and associates as he boarded a private jet before leaving the country.
Sources close to the former vice president indicated that the trip would include medical consultations as well as strategic political meetings connected to ongoing coalition discussions ahead of the next general election.
The development comes at a period of intense political realignment within Nigeria’s opposition camp as major political figures continue consultations over possible alliances and party platforms capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Atiku has remained one of the leading figures within the opposition coalition linked to the ADC, which had earlier attracted key political actors including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
However, recent reports indicate growing cracks within the coalition arrangement, with disagreements reportedly emerging over presidential ambitions, party structures, zoning considerations, and the process for selecting a consensus candidate.
Coalition Uncertainty
Reuters recently reported that both Obi and Kwankwaso had withdrawn from the ADC coalition amid internal disputes and unresolved political differences, a development analysts say could affect opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers believe the opposition’s ability to present a united front may play a major role in determining the competitiveness of the next presidential race, especially after the fragmented outcome of the 2023 election where opposition votes were split across multiple candidates.
The ADC coalition had earlier projected itself as a broad political movement aimed at uniting opposition forces across regional and party lines to challenge the APC in 2027.
As of press time, Atiku’s media team has not issued an official statement detailing the full purpose or duration of his Saudi Arabia visit.
