Prominent Nigerian political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, held a high-level closed-door meeting in Abuja on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
The meeting of Amaechi still recognized as a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Atiku, Obi among others was convened under the auspices of the National Political Consultative Group (North).
The meeting was aimed at rallying support among northern leaders to build a strong opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The session took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel and brought together influential political heavyweights across Party lines.
Also in attendance were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees Adolphus Wabara, and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, among other key stakeholders.
Sources familiar with the meeting said discussions focused on the country’s worsening economic situation, growing insecurity, and the need to present a more capable and united leadership alternative to the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tensions briefly flared during the session when delegates from Jigawa State expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of their representative. The protest momentarily disrupted proceedings until security operatives stepped in to restore calm. Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, was eventually accepted as the State’s spokesperson.
During the meeting, speakers reportedly criticized the Tinubu administration, accusing it of deepening hardship and failing to address the security crisis—particularly in northern Nigeria. They emphasized the urgent need for political unity in the region to steer the country in a new direction.
To consolidate their discussions, four committees were established to further examine the issues raised and propose action plans. A formal communiqué outlining resolutions from the meeting is expected to be released on Monday.
The meeting of a top APC chief like Amaechi who has not hidden his reservations about the conduct of the Tinubu Government signals a significant step toward the possible formation of a unified opposition with the likes of Atiku and Obi in the countdown to the 2027 General Elections.