2027: Shettima holds closed-door meeting with Bello, Badaru, other ex-governors
Vice President Kashim Shettima convened a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, and other prominent political figures on Monday afternoon.
The delegation, known as leaders of the National Directorate of Arewa for Asiwaju Movement, arrived at the State House around 4 p.m. and proceeded to the vice president’s wing. At that time, however, Shettima was engaged in a separate meeting in the president’s wing, which began earlier at 2 p.m. This earlier meeting included discussions with the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, and Professor Attahiru Jega, the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform. Jega is also recognized for his previous role as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The specific purpose of the delegation’s visit was not disclosed, but it has been characterized as a courtesy visit. Other notable attendees at the Villa included former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired), Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination.
This meeting occurred just two days before the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council on Wednesday, October 14, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The party has also scheduled a campaign flag-off in Kaduna State for October 24, as part of preparations for the presidential election slated for January 16, 2027.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the campaign council, announced these dates to State House correspondents following a briefing with President Bola Tinubu. Yari indicated that after the Kaduna flag-off, the campaign will extend to Port Harcourt and Maiduguri, with a complete campaign schedule to be released following the council’s inauguration.
