The former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday, paid a high-profile solidarity visit to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at his Abuja residence.
The visit comes barely 24 hours after former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, made a surprise midnight visit to the embattled former governor.
The flurry of visits by heavyweights from both the leading opposition party African Democratic Congress ADC follows reports of a deepening rift between El-Rufai and the current administration, further intensified by an alleged attempted arrest of the former governor by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
### Amaechi Condemns DSS Action
During his visit, Amaechi, a two-term Governor of Rivers State, expressed his firm support for El-Rufai, describing the reported move by security agencies as an unnecessary provocation.
Sources close to the meeting revealed that Amaechi condemned the attempted arrest, characterizing it as a threat to the rights of citizens and an unhealthy precedent for the nation’s democracy.
“The visit was strictly one of solidarity,” a source stated. “Amaechi felt it was important to stand by a colleague and friend who is currently being targeted. He was very vocal in his condemnation of the use of state security apparatus to intimidate political figures.
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The momentum began building earlier on Wednesday following a report by OBSERVERS TIMES, which detailed a “midnight visit” by Atiku Abubakar to the same residence.
Atiku’s visit, which lasted several hours under the cover of night, has sparked intense speculation regarding a potential new political alliance. While the details of the discussion between Atiku and El-Rufai remain private, insiders suggest that the conversation centered on the “current state of the nation” and the perceived “persecution” of certain political leaders.
The sight of Amaechi and Atiku—two men who played pivotal roles on opposing sides of the 2023 general elections—now rallying around El-Rufai has sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
El-Rufai, who was a key figure in the formation of the APC but has recently been sidelined following his botched ministerial confirmation, appears to be becoming a rallying point for disgruntled political heavyweights.
Observers note that the DSS’s alleged interest in El-Rufai may be acting as a catalyst for a “Third Force” or a realignment of forces ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
READ ALSO: Late-Night Solidarity: Atiku Abubakar Visits El-Rufai Following DSS Encounter at Abuja Airport
While the DSS has not issued an official statement regarding the attempted arrest or any ongoing investigation involving the former Kaduna governor, the heavy presence of political associates at El-Rufai’s residence has created a “shield” of sorts, signaling to the authorities that any move against him will face significant political backlash.
