President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday evening held a private meeting with a group of influential opposition figures, sparking speculation about early political recalibration ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and included several of his long-time allies, many of whom were members of the former G5 Governors’ group that challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership during the 2023 election cycle.
Wike, who was Rivers State governor at the time, spearheaded the G5 faction that openly rejected the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and instead lent support to Tinubu, then the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the election, Tinubu appointed Wike—a still-registered PDP member—as FCT Minister in August 2023, a move that raised eyebrows within political circles and deepened talks of realignment.
Among those at Saturday’s meeting were former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, alongside former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), both of whom were part of the G5.
Though the presidency has not released an official statement regarding the outcome of the meeting, insiders say the discussions likely centered on strengthening political ties and positioning the attendees for deeper integration within the current administration’s structure.
Political observers see the gathering as part of Tinubu’s broader strategy to build alliances across party lines and consolidate influence ahead of the next presidential race.