As momentum gathers in the political space towards the 2027 general election, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, on Tuesday paid a private visit to he Abuja home of a Kano State-born chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura.
The two politicians engaged in a closed-door meeting that lasted over an hour, with neither Obi nor Zaura disclosing the motive of the meeting after their discussion, as both maintained that it was a private matter.
Although, the meeting between Obi and Zaura has been described as highly confidential, sources close to both parties suggested that the visit was part of Obi’s broader efforts to engage with influential political figures across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls.
Zaura, who is the President of the AA Zaura Foundation International, was the APC candidate for Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, and a key figure in the Kano political scene.
Given his influence and Obi’s push for broader political alliances ahead of 2027, the timing of the meeting could signal strategic moves aimed at fostering unity among diverse political forces.
While the specifics of their talks were still unknown, the meeting’s private nature has only added to speculations about possible collaboration between the two leaders in the near future.
Before the duo went into the private talks, Obi openly commended Zaura for his exceptional leadership and philanthropic initiatives, particularly through the AA Zaura Foundation International, which has been instrumental in lifting many Nigerians, especially those from his region, out of poverty.
The former Anambra State governor lauded Zaura’s passion towards lifting ordinary Nigerians from being consumption-focused to a people with production mindset through his empowerment initiatives, stressing the long-term impact such initiatives bring to the country at large.
In his remark, AA Zaura expressed his admiration for Obi’s consistent posture on national issues, particularly his commitment to a more prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria.