Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday held a closed-door meeting with former military president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.) at his hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku said his visit to Niger State was aimed at strengthening the structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, dismissing speculation that it was connected to any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the engagement focused on growing public demand for real-time electronic transmission of election results, which he described as critical to reducing electoral disputes and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“At this point, this is not about me contesting elections. It is about Nigerians who want electronic transmission of election results,” Atiku said.
He argued that real-time electronic transmission would enhance transparency and minimise post-election controversies, adding that the current mix of electronic and manual processes in the proposed Electoral Act amendment only creates confusion.
“The preference of Nigerians is clear. They want real-time electronic transmission of results. What we have now is a mixture of electronic and manual uploading, which causes confusion and chaos,” he said.
Atiku called on opposition parties to unite and challenge the Senate’s decision to retain manual transmission of results.
“We need all opposition political parties to pursue this issue. We should not allow it to rest the way they want it to rest at the Senate,” he added.
He also disclosed that the ADC is currently focused on grassroots mobilisation and strengthening its structures nationwide.
“I am a member of the ADC, and we are working to ensure our structures are firmly rooted from ward to local government, state, and national levels. We are mobilising and registering members across the country,” he said.
Although Atiku did not disclose the specific purpose of his visit to Babangida, he noted that it was not his first meeting with the elder statesman.
Governor Makinde, on his part, declined to speak with journalists. He reportedly remained in the inner chambers of Babangida’s residence after Atiku’s departure, with aides explaining that the visit was private.
Reporters were later asked to leave the premises, though some remained nearby to observe his eventual departure.
Atiku arrived in Minna at about 1:30 p.m. and proceeded directly from the airport to Babangida’s residence. Makinde arrived later, around 2:10 p.m., roughly 30 minutes after Atiku had left.
The former vice president was accompanied by several ADC leaders and stakeholders, including the party’s Rivers State governorship aspirant Baba Agaie; former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Ben Obi; Senator Ozemina of Edo State; the Niger State ADC Chairman Musa Hassan, and other party officials.
