President Bola Tinubu met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in a closed-door session at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. The meeting began around 4pm inside the State House, but no official statement has been released on its content. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed Jonathan's visit and shared photos on X, formerly Twitter, showing the two leaders seated in the presidential office. A document titled "Two-Year Milestone" was visible in the images, indicating a possible review of the Tinubu administration's progress. Sources familiar with the meeting said such discussions between Tinubu and Jonathan occur regularly, focusing on regional political issues and Nigeria's diplomatic role in West Africa. Jonathan previously visited the State House in November 2025 after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau during a political crisis. At the time, he was leading the West African Elders Forum's election observation mission when soldiers loyal to Brigadier-General Dinis Incanha staged a coup and detained President Umaro Sissoco Embaló before the November 23 election results were announced. Jonathan left Guinea-Bissau on a plane provided by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. He has since remained active in regional diplomacy, engaging current leaders on governance, elections, and peace efforts. Despite journalists waiting outside, the Presidency has not provided any details on the outcome of the latest meeting.
Former President Jonathan is now a permanent backchannel operator despite holding no elected or appointed office, yet his meetings with Tinubu are treated as routine. Nigerians who voted for a transparent administration must now reckon with governance by private talks where no records, agendas or outcomes are shared. The same Villa that once cited transparency as a hallmark now hosts former leaders to discuss continental diplomacy without public input. This quiet diplomacy may suit elites, but it leaves citizens in the dark about decisions that affect regional stability.
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