A surprising encounter between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has caught the attention of political observers, following their meeting at the ongoing 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference (ATC) at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge.
El-Rufai, one of the event’s speakers, was joined by prominent African political leaders, scholars, and changemakers, all gathered to discuss the continent’s pressing issues. However, it was his interaction with Obi, a leading voice in the Labour Party and a strong advocate for youth and urban causes, that set tongues wagging online.
Photos of the two men, from rival political factions, in a deep conversation fueled speculation and stirred discussions, particularly given their contrasting political affiliations. Obi, whose strong youth following has remained intact since the 2023 presidential election, has continued to make waves in Nigerian politics. Meanwhile, El-Rufai recently made headlines by defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), igniting rumors of potential realignments for the 2027 elections.
Although the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, political analysts have been quick to draw attention to the significance of the timing. El-Rufai’s reported alignment with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — who has hinted at forming a broad opposition coalition — only adds to the intrigue.
This unexpected meeting has sparked further speculation about the future political landscape of Nigeria, especially as political figures begin to position themselves for the upcoming 2027 elections. Whether this meeting signals the beginning of future collaboration or was just a casual exchange of ideas remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it has certainly added an interesting layer to the political drama unfolding in Nigeria.
