Manny Ita –
A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after a viral image appeared to show him dozing during a high-profile opposition meeting in Ibadan.
Basiru shared the image—captured from a live broadcast—on social media, sarcastically remarking that the opposition leader had fallen asleep at a crucial gathering. The post quickly gained traction, sparking a wave of reactions ranging from criticism to humor, with some users questioning Atiku’s readiness for leadership while others dismissed the moment as trivial.
The meeting, held at the Oyo State Government House, brought together prominent opposition figures including Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, as well as representatives from parties such as the African Democratic Congress, Labour Party Nigeria, and New Nigeria People’s Party.
In a communiqué issued after the summit, opposition leaders announced plans to form a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election, including the possibility of fielding a single candidate to challenge the ruling APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They also raised concerns about the direction of Nigeria’s democracy, alleging attempts to edge the country toward a one-party state and calling for reforms to the Electoral Act 2026, as well as greater neutrality from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Despite the controversy surrounding the viral image, Atiku struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing unity among opposition groups and the need for collective action to safeguard democratic values. He thanked Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the summit, describing the gathering as a step toward building a stronger, coordinated opposition.
Basiru, however, dismissed the meeting as lacking formal legitimacy, arguing that it did not constitute an official assembly of political parties since it was not sanctioned by their respective national leadership structures. His comments underscore the deepening political rivalry and early maneuvering ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election cycle.
