A private meeting between two prominent Nigerian political figures, Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai, on the sidelines of the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference (ATC) has set tongues wagging, with many speculating about a potential coalition ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general election. The conference, which took place at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, on May 9-10, 2025, convened some of Africa’s top leaders, policymakers, and visionaries to discuss the continent’s economic and political future.
Photographs circulating on social media, shared by the Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization group on X, captured the two men in what appears to be a serious discussion. In the images, Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is seen wearing a simple black traditional outfit and cap, while El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, dons a patterned shirt with a black cap, standing with arms crossed as he listens attentively. A second image shows El-Rufai gesturing during their conversation, with a pool table visible in the foreground, suggesting a casual yet focused exchange during a conference break.
The sighting comes amid growing reports of a brewing opposition coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election. In March 2025, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar announced plans for a coalition involving opposition leaders, including Obi, to “rescue power” from the APC. El-Rufai, a former APC stalwart whose relationship with Tinubu has reportedly soured since his exclusion from a ministerial position in 2023, is seen by many as a key figure in this emerging political alignment.
The Cambridge meeting has fueled speculation that El-Rufai may be reconsidering his stance on Obi, whom he had previously criticized during the 2023 election cycle. In past online exchanges, El-Rufai had called Obi out over his tenure as Anambra governor, but his attentive demeanor in the photos suggests a possible reconciliation—or at least a pragmatic partnership. Political analysts note that such a coalition could bridge the North-South divide, with Obi’s strong support in the Southeast and El-Rufai’s influence in the North.
Public reactions on X have been a mix of skepticism and intrigue. A user,@blaq_marv, cautioned Obi, referring to El-Rufai as a “heartless Smiggle” and urging the LP leader to steer clear. Another,
@pros_vision, speculated that the meeting might be part of a broader strategy by Fulani elites to position Obi as Atiku’s running mate, questioning the “born-to-rule mentality” in Nigerian politics. Meanwhile,
@Dee O. N. (@revduke06) expressed surprise at El-Rufai’s cooperative demeanor, noting, “Wonders! So El-Rufai can become this attentive and cooperative to the same Peter Obi he denigrated so much only some few years back?”
The Cambridge Africa Together Conference, which drew 250 participants, including leading academics, business executives, and government officials, provided an ideal setting for such high-stakes networking. Over two days, the event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, culminating in a gala at the University Arms Hotel. While the conference focused on Africa’s future, the Obi-El-Rufai meeting has shifted attention to Nigeria’s political landscape.
With the 2027 election still two years away, this sighting adds weight to speculations of a broader opposition strategy. However, doubts remain about the durability of such an alliance, given El-Rufai’s history of political maneuvering and Obi’s commitment to his grassroots base. As one X user,
@udo (@BilliJame2125), put it, the meeting resembles a game of “3D chess”—a calculated move in Nigeria’s complex political arena.
For now, neither Obi nor El-Rufai has commented publicly on the nature of their discussion. But as the 2027 election approaches, all eyes will be on whether this Cambridge encounter marks the beginning of a formidable coalition—or merely a fleeting moment of political courtesy.
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