Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has met behind closed doors with fellow party aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in what appears to be a move to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders following the party’s presidential primary.
The meeting in a video shared by the former vice president on Sunday comes days after the former vice president secured the ADC presidential ticket and was presented with the party’s flag.
The post-primary engagement follows objections raised by some contestants over the conduct of the exercise. Hayatu-Deen and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging irregularities and manipulation of the voting process.
Hayatu-Deen had earlier distanced himself from the process, announcing that he would not attend the official declaration of results.
Following his emergence as the party’s flagbearer, Atiku appealed to dissatisfied aspirants and party members to move past the contest and unite ahead of the 2027 general election.
“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said.
Read more news:
Atiku urges Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen to save democracy
Atiku tells APC to end opposition harassment after ADC ticket win
David Mark backs Atiku, says democracy works
The former vice president specifically called on Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join him in what he described as a collective effort to strengthen democracy and address Nigeria’s challenges.
“In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Muhammad Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” Atiku said.
He maintained that internal party contests should not create lasting divisions, insisting that there were no permanent winners or losers in the primary.
“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership, and I am ready to lead,” he added.
Atiku also pledged to work with all party stakeholders to build a stronger ADC ahead of the next election cycle.
The meeting with Hayatu-Deen comes shortly after Atiku paid a similar visit to Amaechi at his Abuja residence, a move widely interpreted as part of broader efforts to unite the party and consolidate support following the contentious primary process.
