In a rare and symbolic gathering, three former Vice Presidents of Nigeria—Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo—converged in Ondo State on Friday, May 23, 2025, ahead of a significant royal event in Osun State. The high-profile reunion has stirred political conversations nationwide, given the stature of the dignitaries involved and the timing amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Atiku Abubakar, who served under President Olusegun Obasanjo and was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to announce the meeting. According to his post, he was warmly received at the Akure Airport by Former Nigerian Vice Presidents, Osinbajo, Sambo, and other notable stakeholders en route to Ilesa, Osun State, for the coronation of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.
“The camaraderie was warm and respectful,” Atiku noted in his post, adding that he looked forward to the historic event in Ilesa. The coronation of Oba Haastrup marks a significant moment in Yoruba traditional leadership and is drawing dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
The presence of three former vice presidents in one location, outside of official government business, is a rare occurrence. Yemi Osinbajo, who served as Vice President from 2015 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and Namadi Sambo, who was VP from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, joined Atiku in a display of bipartisan unity and mutual respect.
Observers believe the gathering could have wider political implications. With the 2027 general elections approaching and various political alignments and coalitions taking shape, such high-level meetings are bound to generate speculation. Though the official reason for the meeting was to attend a traditional coronation, political analysts suggest the sidelines may have been used for strategic discussions.
The coronation of Oba Clement Haastrup is being held at the Obokungbusi Civic Hall in Ilesa, Osun State, with a reception scheduled at Ilesa Grammar School grounds. Security for the event has been beefed up, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies deploying personnel to ensure safety and order during the ceremony.
The convergence of political heavyweights at a cultural event highlights the deep intertwining of politics and tradition in Nigeria. Traditional institutions, especially in the southwest, continue to play a crucial role in legitimizing political figures and influencing public sentiment.
Notably, Osinbajo and Atiku had been on opposing sides in Nigeria’s recent political contests, with Atiku emerging as the leading opposition figure in the 2023 elections while Osinbajo was a prominent APC chieftain. Namadi Sambo, though largely retreated from frontline politics, remains an influential voice within the PDP.
While no official statement has been released regarding any political discussions during the meeting, insiders hint at a possible realignment of political interests as various camps prepare for 2027. The gathering may symbolize an emerging consensus or at least a thawing of political divisions among Nigeria’s past leaders.
As attention now shifts to Ilesa for the historic coronation, Nigerians are watching closely—not just for the cultural significance of the royal event but for what the presence of these former leaders could mean for the political landscape in the months ahead.