By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Fresh details have emerged of a clandestine meeting between Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, raising political tensions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, according to an exclusive report by Peoples Gazette.
Peoples Gazette reported that the meeting took place on March 11, 2026, at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel, fueling speculation that a faction within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid.
Citing sources familiar with the development, the online newspaper detailed that the two politicians met during iftar—the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan—while both were in the holy city for the lesser hajj.
Governor Sule, a serving APC governor now in his second term, had previously indicated he would not seek any political office after leaving office. However, recent statements from his camp suggest he is considering a run for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat in 2027.
According to Peoples Gazette, a source privy to the discussions said the meeting was aimed at securing a political realignment ahead of the next election cycle.
“Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa met with Atiku Abubakar in Saudi Arabia weeks ago. He had a two-hour meeting with Atiku at Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel in Makka on Wednesday, 11th of March, 2026. The meeting was held at night during iftar,” the source was quoted as saying.
It was gathered that during the closed-door session, Governor Sule pledged to deliver Nasarawa State to Mr Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election. The two men, sources say, also agreed on the need to “return power to the north.”
In return, Mr Abubakar—who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2025 to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he now serves as a leading opposition figure—reportedly promised to throw his political weight behind the governor’s senatorial ambition. Commitments were also said to have been made regarding influential committee assignments in the Senate should the opposition coalition succeed.
One source described the move as a calculated hedge by the Nasarawa governor.
“He is putting his eggs in more than one basket,” the source said, adding that Mr Sule had also expressed interest in positioning himself for national relevance should a northern candidate emerge victorious.
When contacted by Peoples Gazette, both camps neither confirmed nor denied the meeting.
Paul Ibe, media aide to Mr Abubakar, said he was unaware of any such meeting, though he confirmed that the former vice-president travelled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj and returned on March 14.
“I can only confirm to you what I know. I’m not aware of a meeting of that nature. What I can confirm to you is that indeed, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar travelled for the lesser hajj; and he returned to the country on Saturday; that much I can tell you,” Mr Ibe was quoted as saying.
Similarly, Ibrahim Addra, chief press secretary to Governor Sule, confirmed that his principal was in Mecca for the lesser hajj but declined to comment on reports of the meeting.
“I’m not aware of the meeting,” Mr Addra said. “But I know that the governor attended the lesser hajj.”
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting within the presidency and the APC leadership. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Peoples Gazette that there is growing anxiety over the loyalty of some northern governors and senators.
“It’s been our concern lately that some of our party’s governors and senators might betray the president if Atiku Abubakar becomes the candidate of the ADC,” the official said. “We don’t yet know what to do about this dilemma, and I will be lying to you if I say we can ever successfully prevent it.”
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, the reported alliance between a sitting APC governor and a key opposition figure is likely to intensify speculation about cracks in the ruling party’s northern base.
