2027: Shettima Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Bello, Badaru, Other Ex-Governors

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Monday held a closed-door meeting with former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru and other political figures at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The delegation, identified as leaders of the National Directorate of Arewa for Asiwaju Movement, arrived at the State House at about 4pm and proceeded to the Vice-President’s wing.

According to reports from the Villa, Shettima was attending a separate meeting at the President’s wing when the delegation arrived.

Those also seen at the Presidential Villa included former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Director-General Buba Marwa, and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman.

The purpose of the delegation’s visit was not immediately disclosed. However, reports indicated that it was a courtesy visit.

The meeting comes amid preparations by the ruling All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election and the party’s planned campaign activities.

The APC is scheduled to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council on Wednesday, October 14, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, director-general of the campaign council, had announced the planned inauguration and the party’s campaign flag-off in Kaduna State on October 24.

Yari also said the campaign would move to Port Harcourt and Maiduguri after the Kaduna event, while the full schedule would be released following the inauguration of the council.

President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election in the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Although the meeting’s agenda was not made public, the gathering of former governors and other political figures at the Villa comes as political parties and their supporters prepare for the next election cycle.

No official statement had been issued detailing the discussions or any decisions reached during the meeting as of the time of reporting.