President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday evening, met with some influential figures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in what many observers see as a significant early step towards political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, has already begun generating ripples across the country’s political landscape.
Leading the delegation to the Villa was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose political moves have remained a subject of national debate since his defiance of his party’s leadership during the last election. Wike, once a formidable voice within the PDP, had played a pivotal role in the activities of the defunct G5 Governors — a faction of governors who openly opposed the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar in the build-up to the 2023 polls.
It would be recalled that during the last election cycle, the G5 governors, under Wike’s leadership, broke ranks with the PDP hierarchy and rallied behind Bola Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision was widely considered a decisive factor in Tinubu’s eventual victory, particularly in traditionally PDP-dominated states.
Since his controversial appointment as Minister of FCT in August 2023, Wike has continued to straddle the political fence, maintaining his PDP membership while aligning with the Tinubu administration. His growing influence within the federal cabinet and his sustained relationship with former allies in the opposition have fueled speculations about a possible realignment.
Saturday’s meeting, sources said, was attended by some familiar names from the defunct G5 group. Among those present were a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and two ex-governors — Samuel Ortom of Benue and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia. The presence of these political heavyweights suggests that the gathering was not a casual reunion but a calculated political engagement.
Although the details of their conversation remain under wraps, insiders hint that the talks centered on strategies for collaboration and the possible integration of these former governors into the Tinubu-led political structure. Discussions reportedly touched on the political future of the opposition and the likelihood of forming new alliances in the coming months.
For many political watchers, this meeting is a signal that the battle for 2027 has quietly begun. The involvement of these seasoned politicians indicates that fresh political alignments and strategic moves are already taking shape. How this meeting shapes future political narratives remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the days ahead will be politically intense.
