Obasanjo Opens His Doors to Jonathan and Political Heavyweights in Abeokuta Gathering

On March 2, 2025, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo welcomed an impressive lineup of political figures to his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for an event that blended condolence, camaraderie, and subtle political undertones. The gathering, captured in photos shared by Akelicious.net, saw Obasanjo hosting ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other prominent leaders from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and ex-Governor Liyel Imoke. The occasion, ostensibly a dinner, followed a day of condolence visits across Lagos and Ogun states, spotlighting the enduring ties—and rivalries—among Nigeria’s political elite.

The day began with a shared mission: honoring the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a revered Afenifere leader who passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96. Earlier, Jonathan, accompanied by former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma and PDP stalwart Chief Olabode George, visited Adebanjo’s family in Lagos. Atiku, arriving separately with his entourage, also paid his respects. These visits underscored Adebanjo’s legacy as a Yoruba icon and advocate for restructuring—ideas that have long resonated with Nigeria’s political discourse. By evening, the group converged at Obasanjo’s hilltop mansion, where the mood shifted from mourning to mingling, with photos showing the leaders in animated conversation over a meal.

Obasanjo, now 87 and a elder statesman known for his blunt commentary, played the gracious host. Images from the event depict him at the center of the gathering, flanked by Jonathan and Atiku—two figures whose past interactions with him have been marked by both collaboration and friction. Jonathan, who served as vice president under Obasanjo’s ally Umaru Yar’Adua before ascending to the presidency in 2010, has had a complex relationship with the former leader, who famously criticized his administration ahead of the 2015 election. Atiku, Obasanjo’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, endured a bitter fallout with his boss, yet their presence together suggests a willingness to set aside old grudges, at least for the night.

The guest list extended beyond the headliners. Saraki, who led the Senate from 2015 to 2019, and Imoke, a former Cross River State governor, added to the PDP-heavy roster, alongside George, a party stalwart. The inclusion of Koroma, a foreign dignitary, lent an international flavor, hinting at broader diplomatic ties among the attendees. Photos circulating online show the group posing together, some smiling warmly, others engaged in serious discussion—an tableau of Nigeria’s political past and potential future.

The timing and context of this gathering invite speculation. It followed Jonathan’s public reflection on why his administration couldn’t implement the 2014 National Conference report, a topic he raised during the Lagos condolence visit. That same day, Atiku’s presence in Lagos and subsequent trip to Abeokuta fueled chatter about PDP unity—or maneuvering—ahead of future elections. Obasanjo, though no longer a formal PDP member since tearing up his membership card in 2015, remains a kingmaker whose endorsements carry weight. His hosting of this group could signal an attempt to broker peace among PDP factions or simply a nostalgic reunion of old allies and adversaries.

Adebanjo’s death provided the initial impetus, but the dinner’s subtext hints at more. Nigeria’s political landscape is heating up as the 2027 elections loom, with the PDP still smarting from its 2023 loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku, a perennial presidential contender, and Jonathan, whose name occasionally resurfaces as a potential “consensus” figure, represent different strands of the party’s identity. Saraki and others bring additional influence, while Obasanjo’s role as a behind-the-scenes arbiter could shape their strategies. The photos—showing handshakes, shared laughter, and close-knit seating—project an image of solidarity, whether genuine or performative.

Beyond politics, the event carried personal weight. Obasanjo and Adebanjo shared a decades-long friendship rooted in their Pan-Nigerian ideals, despite occasional ideological clashes. Jonathan praised Adebanjo’s contributions during his visit, while Atiku’s team echoed similar sentiments. The convergence at Obasanjo’s home thus doubled as a tribute to a fallen comrade and a chance to reflect on Nigeria’s unresolved challenges—issues like restructuring and equity that Adebanjo championed and that surfaced in Jonathan’s recent remarks.

For observers, the visuals tell a story of continuity and change. Obasanjo, the military-turned-democratic leader who shaped Nigeria’s post-1999 era, remains a gravitational force. Jonathan and Atiku, each with their own legacies and ambitions, navigate his orbit. The younger generation—represented by Saraki—watches and waits. Whether this dinner was a mere social call or a quiet summit, it underscores the intricate web of relationships that define Nigerian politics, where personal bonds and power plays are never far apart.