Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday received former First Lady Aisha Buhari at his residence in Abuja, in a high-profile meeting that has attracted attention amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku disclosed the visit in a post on his X account, describing Aisha Buhari’s visit as “warm and deeply appreciated.”
The former Vice-President, however, did not publicly disclose the specific purpose of the meeting or the details of his private discussions with the former First Lady.
The visit is nevertheless significant because of the political backgrounds of the two figures and the approaching 2027 presidential contest. Aisha Buhari is the widow of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, while Atiku is seeking the presidency under the platform of the ADC.
Reports on the meeting said Aisha was accompanied by one of her daughters and some associates.
While neither Atiku nor Aisha has publicly announced any political agreement, endorsement or alliance arising from the meeting, the encounter has generated fresh political interest at a time when opposition parties and political actors are intensifying consultations ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku used the occasion to shift attention to the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian households, particularly the rising cost of food, transportation, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.
According to him, the meeting served as a reminder to politicians seeking to lead the country that the welfare and dignity of Nigerians should remain at the centre of governance.
“Today, I was delighted to receive former First Lady, H.E. Aisha Buhari. Her visit was warm and deeply appreciated,” Atiku wrote.
“Beyond the courtesies of the occasion, it was also a reminder of the urgent responsibility before all who seek a better Nigeria: to put the welfare, dignity and future of our people first.”
The ADC presidential candidate said families across Nigeria were increasingly under pressure as the cost of essential goods and services continued to rise.
“Across our country, families are being stretched by the rising cost of food, transport, education, healthcare and other basic necessities,” he said.
Atiku argued that Nigerians deserved an economy where hard work could translate into opportunities and where families could meet their basic needs without being overwhelmed by the cost of living.
“Nigerians deserve an economy that rewards hard work, restores opportunity and allows every family to live with dignity and hope,” he stated.
He further called for an economy that, in his words, “works for its people again,” saying efforts should be directed towards reducing the burden on households and restoring hope.
“That is the Nigeria we must build together, a country that works for its people again,” Atiku said.
“We must ease the burden, restore hope and Make Nigeria Affordable Again.”
The meeting comes against the backdrop of intense political positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku emerging as one of the major opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling establishment.
The former Vice-President has increasingly focused his public messaging on the economic condition of ordinary Nigerians, using the rising cost of living, food, transportation, education and healthcare as key issues in his criticism of the current situation.
Aisha Buhari, meanwhile, has not publicly stated that her visit to Atiku amounted to an endorsement of his presidential ambition. Neither has Atiku announced any political arrangement involving the former First Lady.
As of Thursday, the details of what was discussed privately during the meeting remained undisclosed.
The political significance of the encounter is therefore likely to continue generating attention, particularly as consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.