Former Vice Presidents Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo visited the country home of Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, in Ilesa, Osun State, on Friday.
The visit occurred just hours ahead of the coronation of the 49th Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, scheduled for today in Ilesa.
Earlier, the Osun State High Court in Ilesa declined to halt the coronation proceedings.
Atiku confirmed the visit in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, accompanied by a video clip showing the leaders engaging in a cheerful conversation over breakfast.
He wrote, “Breakfast time at the residence of former Governor of Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola.”
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online cannot independently verify the purpose of the visit by former Vice Presidents Atiku and Sambo, along with other members of their entourage, to Aregbesola’s residence.
The video also showed prominent Osun political figures warmly receiving the entourage, including former APC Chairman in Osun State, Lowo Adebiyi, and Chairman of Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji. Others present were the former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, underscoring the strong presence of Aregbesola’s political camp at the gathering.
Atiku’s arrival in Ondo
In a prior post from Akure Airport in Ondo State, Atiku expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received upon his arrival for the monarch’s coronation.
Atiku, however, wrote, “I was warmly received by stakeholders on arrival at the Akure Airport in Ondo State, ahead of the coronation of the 49th HRH Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup today.”
The visit, though informal, is already being widely interpreted as a politically symbolic meeting, with comments and reactions to the post which was also shared to his Facebook account noting the significance of such a high-powered trio—Atiku, Sambo, and Aregbesola—convening in the build-up to Nigeria’s 2027 political horizon.
Stay tuned for more updates from Ilesa as dignitaries continue to arrive for the coronation.
The event will be held at Obokungbusi Hall, Ilesa, with the reception scheduled to take place at the Ilesa Grammar School premises.
