A notable gathering of prominent Nigerian political figures took place in Abuja on Saturday as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi came together for a significant event. The occasion was the Colloquium celebrating the 60th birthday of former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Held at the New Event Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the colloquium was themed “Leadership, Service, and Statesmanship at 60” and drew a wide array of political leaders, stakeholders, and dignitaries from across Nigeria. The event served as both a celebration of Tambuwal’s milestone birthday and a platform for discussions on governance and national development.
Atiku Abubakar shared his attendance on social media, posting photos of himself alongside Obasanjo and Peter Obi at the venue. In his post, he wrote:
"I just arrived at the New Event Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, for the Tambuwal Colloquium—Leadership, Service and Statesmanship at 60, to mark the 60th birthday of H.E. Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, @AWTambuwal, Mutawallen Sokoto. -AA"
The convergence of these key political figures sparked interest, given their influence in Nigeria’s political landscape. The event underscored Tambuwal’s stature as a respected leader while also providing a rare moment of interaction among some of the country’s most prominent voices.
Addressing dignitaries at the event, Tambuwal stressed the need for collective action to rescue the nation.
“Our country is in peril, and we are looking for salvation. This is a collective process. It is not about partisanship or political parties alone,” he said.
While agreeing that political parties must present clear programmes and ideas for governance, Tambuwal insisted that all citizens had a role to play.
“We are involved as citizens of this country. We have nowhere else to go. We must remain in Nigeria and ensure that we do the right thing so that we can have the right leadership,” he said.
“I do agree. But we must all be involved. Why? Because we are involved as citizens of this country, and we have nowhere to go to, and we have nowhere to run to, but we have to remain in Nigeria and make sure that we do the right thing for us to have the right leadership.
“It is a collective responsibility. As my elder brother, Peter Obi, and many other leaders have said, much is expected of me at this stage of my life. I have passed the age of looking left, right and centre. I must therefore recommit myself to the values I have always believed in, even as a younger person.
“I may not be taking too much risk, although I am prepared to take some, but I recommit myself to working with every Nigerian who believes in achieving and enthroning good democratic governance for the country.”
