Atiku Abubakar Arrives in Ibadan Amidst Mammoth Crowd for Landmark Opposition National Summit

Atiku Abubakar joins Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Ibadan for a landmark opposition summit, despite allegations of APC plots to disrupt the event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 7:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Massive Reception for Opposition Leaders in Oyo State

The city of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, witnessed a significant political gathering as a mammoth crowd of supporters welcomed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the airport. Atiku’s arrival marks a critical phase in the National Summit of all opposition parties, an event designed to bring together Nigeria's most influential political figures outside the ruling party. Video footage shared by the former Vice President showed supporters singing and chanting as he arrived to participate in the summit, which is being hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Coalition Building for the 2027 General Elections

The summit is expected to host a "who is who" of the Nigerian opposition, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. This convergence of heavyweights is seen as a formal step toward building a robust multi-party coalition to challenge the current administration in 2027. Notably, Atiku Abubakar is currently among the leaders jostling for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket, signaling a strategic shift in the political landscape as parties seek a "credible alternative" for national governance.

Allegations of State Interference and Venue Disruptions

Amidst the preparations, Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC and spokesperson for the opposition coalition, raised an alarm regarding alleged attempts to sabotage the gathering. In a statement released on Saturday morning, Abdullahi claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has been actively plotting to disrupt the summit. He alleged that after being denied access to various venues in Abuja, the coalition faced similar efforts to frustrate their meeting in Ibadan. Abdullahi characterized these actions as a pattern of interference intended to weaken opposition activities and prevent a unified political challenge.