A political stir has followed comments by Ajibola Basiru, who mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over a viral image appearing to show him asleep during a high-profile opposition meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The summit, held over the weekend, brought together key opposition figures in what observers describe as a strategic move to consolidate efforts ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The gathering featured prominent political stakeholders seeking to build a unified platform capable of challenging the ruling party.

Among those in attendance were notable figures such as David Mark, Jerry Gana, activist Aisha Yesufu, economist Pat Utomi, and Solomon Dalung.

Other influential attendees included former governors such as Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Rotimi Amaechi, and Babangida Aliyu, among others.

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The controversy began after Basiru shared an image on social media platform 𝕏 showing Atiku appearing to be asleep during the proceedings. Captioning the image, he wrote, “And the opposition leader slept at the all-important opposition summit,” a remark that quickly gained traction online.

The comment has since fueled political banter between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition groups. Basiru also used the moment to respond to claims suggesting that the APC was unsettled by the opposition’s efforts to unite.

According to him, the viral image undermines the seriousness of the opposition’s mission, even as leaders attempt to present a cohesive front ahead of the next election cycle.

Despite the controversy, the Ibadan summit remains a significant development in Nigeria’s political landscape. Analysts view the meeting as part of ongoing consultations aimed at forming a stronger alliance capable of mounting a credible challenge in 2027.

While the viral image has dominated headlines, some observers argue that the broader objective of opposition unity should not be overshadowed by momentary distractions. They note that political coalitions often face internal and external scrutiny, especially in their early stages.

As reactions continue to pour in, neither Atiku Abubakar nor his representatives have issued an official response to the incident. However, the episode underscores the intense political rivalry already shaping narratives ahead of the next general elections.

With consultations ongoing, the coming months are expected to reveal whether the opposition can maintain cohesion and translate its efforts into a formidable electoral strategy.