Alleged Mecca Meeting: Governor Sule, Atiku in Secret Talks Over 2027 Political Alliance
Fresh political intrigue has emerged ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, following reports that Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa State, allegedly held a closed-door meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
According to an investigative report by Peoples Gazette, the meeting reportedly took place on March 11, 2026, at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel during an iftar dinner in the holy month of Ramadan. The discussion, said to have lasted about two hours, allegedly focused on political alignments and strategies ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sources cited in the report claimed that the talks centered on possible collaboration aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the next electoral cycle. The report further alleged that Governor Sule, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed willingness to support Atiku’s ambition and mobilize votes within Nasarawa State.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, had in 2025 defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pursue his 2027 presidential bid.
A source quoted in the report said: “Governor Abdullahi Sule 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 March 11, 2026.” The source also claimed that discussions included the possibility of returning the presidency to northern Nigeria in 2027.
When contacted, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, neither confirmed nor denied the alleged meeting. He stated that he was unaware of such an engagement but confirmed that Atiku had travelled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj (Umrah) and returned to Nigeria thereafter.
On his part, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sule, Ibrahim Addra, dismissed knowledge of the meeting. While confirming that the governor performed the Umrah during the period, Addra said he was not aware of any political discussions between Sule and Atiku.
Further checks cited in the report indicated that both political figures were indeed in Mecca around the same timeframe between February and March 2026. During his stay, Governor Sule was also said to have met with political associates, including Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
The report also noted that Atiku held separate meetings with notable figures, including Aisha Buhari, during the Umrah period.
As political maneuvering intensifies, the alleged meeting—though unconfirmed—adds another layer to the evolving dynamics that could shape alliances and power blocs ahead of the 2027 elections. Observers say the coming months will likely reveal clearer alignments as key players position themselves in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.