ABUJA — In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political corridors, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi paid a high-profile visit to the Abuja home of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Tuesday.
The visit comes a mere 24 hours after Malami regained his freedom from Department of State Services (DSS) custody, following a hard-fought court order granting him bail. Accompanied by heavyweights from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi’s appearance at the residence of the embattled former minister marks a dramatic shift in the nation’s political optics.
The “Solidarity” Summit
While the doors remained closed to the press, images released by the ADC Vanguard captured the leaders in deep consultation. Officially framed as a “solidarity visit” in the wake of Malami’s recent legal tribulations, the gathering is being viewed by insiders as a tactical “state of the nation” summit.
The former Minister of Justice has been at the centre of a relentless legal storm involving both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the DSS. Obi’s decision to bridge the partisan divide—moving from the “Obidient” camp to the doorstep of a key figure from the previous administration—suggests a burgeoning “United Front” is in the making.
Malami’s Legal Tightrope
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of a high-stakes judicial battle:
- The Bail Breakthrough: On February 27, a Federal High Court granted Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, bail set at ₦200 million each.
- Dual Fronts: Malami is currently battling two major cases—an ₦8.7 billion money laundering suit filed by the EFCC and a separate DSS investigation into terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession.
- The Re-arrest Saga: The former AGF’s recent stint in custody followed a controversial re-arrest by the DSS in January, an incident that sparked heated debates over the rule of law.
The 2027 Chessboard?
This visit is no isolated event. It follows hot on the heels of Obi’s Monday marathon meetings with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
As Nigeria grapples with a biting economic crisis and mounting security challenges, the sight of Obi, Malami, and ADC chieftains under one roof signals that the 2027 political chessboard is already being rearranged.
Neither Malami’s legal team nor the Labour Party has issued a formal communiqué, leaving the nation to wonder if this “solidarity” is the first brick in a massive new political coalition.
