Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other prominent political figures gathered in Abuja on Saturday, June 22, 2024, for the 70th birthday celebration of former Bauchi State Governor and ex-PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu.
The high-profile dinner event attracted an array of Nigeria’s political elite, including former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, NNPP chieftain Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa) and Uba Sani (Kaduna), as well as the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared a video and reflections from the event on his social media pages the following day. He wrote:
“Yesterday, I joined my boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, along with many other prominent Nigerian leaders, in paying tribute to Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi State and one-time National Chairman of the PDP, who turned 70. As Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, I worked with Mu’azu and other governors who served within that period to lay the foundation for good governance and a private sector-led economic growth for Nigeria. I used the occasion to congratulate Mu’azu and wish him many more years in good health and vitality.”
While the gathering was officially a birthday celebration, political analysts have pointed to deeper implications. Shettima’s appearance at a function populated by major opposition leaders raised eyebrows, particularly against the backdrop of recent developments surrounding the proposed formation of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) —a coalition reportedly backed by Atiku and El-Rufai following their opposition to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
The timing of the event also fueled speculation amid unconfirmed reports suggesting that Shettima could be replaced as Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 elections, further intensifying interest in his political positioning.
