The visit has been linked to the 2023 presidency, which many tip the Kaduna governor to play a vital role.

Obasanjo, who was in Kaduna town on a private visit to Governor el-Rufai in Sir Kashim House, claimed to be son-of-the soil, having lived in Kaduna from 1959 to 1967 and built his first house at the Makera area of the town.

The ex-president noted that he was at the Mogadishu Battalion in Kaduna between 1959 and 1967, adding that his visit to Kaduna was like a home-coming.He described Kaduna town as a melting pot of all the ethnic groups in the country.

Commending el-Rufai’s spirit, he recalled the governor’s spat with the Senate when he was Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, maintaining that then minister was asked to apologise to the red chamber, but he refused due to his conviction.“We need a character like this; a man that you know where you stand with him. Any job given to him will be well done,” the former president added.

The national publicity secretary of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Salisu Dawaki, said the visit could be part of el-Rufai’s presidential ambition.

He asserted Obasanjo’s role in the country’s leadership.

“Whether we like it or not, Obasanjo is a prominent citizen and no one can become something without him,” he said.

On his part, el-Rufai described Obasanjo as a mentor, adding that he learnt many public service skills from him when he served in his government as a minister.