Information on an alleged meeting between former vice president Atiku Abubakar and governor of Nasarawa State Abdullahi Sule in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the recent smaller hajj (Umrah) has surfaced.

The meeting allegedly happened on March 11, 2026, at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel in Mecca at an iftar supper during the holy month of Ramadan, according to a report published in Peoples Gazette.

According to the report’s sources, the discussion covered political trends leading up to the 2027 presidential election and lasted almost two hours.

According to the report, the conference focused on potential political cooperation to remove President Bola Tinubu from office in the 2027 election.

Atiku, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2025, is reportedly thinking about running for president again.

According to sources cited in the report, Governor Sule promised to assist Atiku in gaining votes in Nasarawa State and endorsed his ambition.

In advance of his potential 2027 candidacy for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat, one source claimed that the governor was also looking for political guarantees.

Sule may be carefully placing himself inside Nigeria’s evolving political scene, according to a source acquainted with the purported encounter.

Atiku Abubakar and Governor Abdullahi Sule had a meeting in Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago. According to the source, he met with Atiku for two hours on March 11, 2026, at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel in Makka.

The potential of moving the president back to northern Nigeria in 2027 was also discussed, according to the source.

According to the article, an unidentified official in the Tinubu camp expressed worry that if Atiku becomes the opposition’s presidential nominee, some lawmakers from the ruling party, especially those from the northern area, would defect.

According to the official, the incident had sparked concerns that some MPs and governors would turn against the president before the next election.

When questioned about the purported encounter, Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media assistant, did not affirm or refute its existence.

“I can only tell you what I am aware of. There isn’t a meeting like that that I know of. “His Excellency Atiku Abubakar traveled for the lesser hajj and returned to the country on Saturday,” Ibe stated on the aforementioned platform.

In a same vein, Governor Sule’s chief press secretary, Ibrahim Addra, claimed not to be aware of the meeting.

He did, however, acknowledge that the governor visited Saudi Arabia during that time to perform the lesser hajj.

“I know the governor attended the lesser hajj, but I don’t know about the meeting,” he remarked.

According to checks mentioned in the article, Sule and Atiku were in Mecca over the same time frame in February and March of 2026.

Sule reportedly met with a number of political associates during his visit, including Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the representative for Nasarawa South.

According to the story, Atiku also met former President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari, while performing Umrah.

The post Gov. Sule and Atiku Abubakar Reportedly Meet in Saudi Arabia to Strategize Against Tinubu appeared first on TheNigerian.

By Comr. Patrick Eza, LA Media and Public Affairs to Rep Agbese Philip

In the annals of global leadership, history bears witness that many of the world’s most transformative leaders did not emerge from luxury or affluence, but from the “manger”—a symbolic reference to humble beginnings, challenging circumstances, and sheer perseverance. It is within this powerful context that we place the narrative of Rep Agbese Philip, a shining example of purpose-driven leadership rising from adversity.

From Nelson Mandela, who grew up in the rural Transkei village and later became Africa’s most revered statesman, to Abraham Lincoln, who emerged from a log cabin to lead America through its greatest constitutional, military, and moral crisis, the pattern is clear: greatness is often birthed in obscurity. Likewise, Barack Obama, raised in modest settings in Kenya and Indonesia, rose to become the first Black President of the United States, while Dr. Ben Carson went from the son of a single mother to a world-renowned neurosurgeon.

The same thread of resilience runs through the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Martin Luther King Jr., who, despite enormous odds, changed the course of history in their respective domains. Even in spiritual context, Jesus Christ—born in a manger—remains the ultimate model of transformational leadership.

Rep Agbese Philip fits squarely into this lineage. Hailing from a modest background, he was not born to wealth or privilege. His parents were neither tycoons nor global figures, yet his story is fast becoming one of relentless progression, service, and visionary leadership. TheNigerian observes that Rep Agbese’s political and developmental strides position him as a leader destined for national and global relevance.

Today, as the representative of the Enone Federal Constituency, Rep Agbese has shown exceptional commitment to people-centered governance. His evolving leadership profile is not just a testament to his personal determination, but also a signal that Enone is poised to produce a leader of extraordinary calibre.

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the people of Enone are urged to reflect on his impact and prepare to renew their mandate for a man whose journey continues to inspire. TheNigerian joins the call for eligible voters to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ready and support a leader whose story began in the manger but is destined to shape the future.

Rep Agbese Philip is not an exception—he is the next great leader.

The post Rep Agbese Philip: A Rising Star from Humble Beginnings, Poised for Greater Impact  appeared first on TheNigerian.

Enugu, Nigeria – A prominent member of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Chief Ogochukwu Onyema, has revealed that he may defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) if the party welcomes former LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, into its ranks.

Chief Onyema, a former senatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu West, made this known during an exclusive interview in Enugu over the weekend. He described the SDP as an “emerging party” with growing national relevance, citing its internal regulations which discourage members from engaging in prolonged legal disputes.

“If Obi moves to SDP, I will follow him,” Onyema stated, suggesting that the former Anambra governor’s presence could redefine the party’s future.

The Ohanaeze chieftain also used the opportunity to praise Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as “visionary leadership” and “proactive governance.”

“If you want me to tell you about His Excellency, Ndubisi Mbah, I say to you that whoever does the way I do, I’ll call my good friend,” Onyema said. “Each time I see his choice of projects, I smile within myself. This man is strategic, he’s futuristic. I admire his leadership style.”

Onyema recounted his journey through the PDP, noting his disappointment over multiple failed attempts to secure a legislative ticket despite contesting for the House of Representatives and the Senate on three different occasions.

“I was in PDP when we won the election that produced Peter Mbah and I said I am leaving PDP,” he recalled. “I said they should not give me an appointment, let me chart my own course.”

Although he refrained from clearly stating his political ambition for the 2027 general elections, Onyema’s remarks hint at a continuing interest in public service—albeit under a different political platform.

His statements have further fueled speculation about potential realignments ahead of 2027, especially as political actors across the country begin to reposition.

The post Peter Obi’s Possible Move to SDP May Trigger Major Defections – Onyema appeared first on TheNigerian.

Nigerian politician and former Labour Party campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, says defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election will be impossible without a united opposition.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Okonkwo emphasized the need for a strong coalition similar to the alliance that led to Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in 2015.

Why a Single Candidate Can’t Beat Tinubu

“No single candidate can beat Tinubu alone, no matter the name,” Okonkwo said.
“In Nigeria, it’s not just about winning elections—you also have to secure your victory, and that requires elite backing, even if the masses vote for you.”

According to him, only a strategic merger of opposition forces can successfully challenge Tinubu’s political structure and influence.

Drawing Lessons from 2015

Okonkwo referenced the 2015 election when the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a coalition of opposition parties—defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The elites came together in 2014, and in 2015, they secured victory. That’s the only way to win in Nigeria.”

Opposition Must Unite or Risk Another APC Victory

When asked if failure to form a coalition would guarantee Tinubu’s re-election, he responded:

“Outrightly, he will just walk into it.”

He predicted the formation of a political coalition before 2027, although it remains unclear whether it will include Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar.

“There will be a coalition. Whether it’s between Obi and Atiku, I can’t say. But that’s the only way the opposition can make an impact.”

El-Rufai and Atiku Reportedly Spearheading Coalition Talks

His comments come amid reports of an emerging coalition led by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

APC Gains Strength as Defections Continue

Meanwhile, the ruling APC continues to consolidate power. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, along with his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta, have defected to the APC.

They are expected to be officially welcomed into the party at a rally in Asaba, Delta State’s capital, on Monday.

The post Tinubu Will Win Again in 2027 Unless Opposition Unites – Okonkwo appeared first on TheNigerian.