ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday held a closed-door reconciliation meeting with his former rival, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, at his residence in Lagos, in what appears to be part of efforts to resolve tensions following the party’s presidential primary.
The meeting comes after reports of internal disagreements within the ADC following its recently concluded primary election ahead of the 2027 general election, which produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.
Sources indicated that the engagement is part of ongoing efforts to unite aggrieved aspirants after the contentious exercise that also featured former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Hayatu-Deen had earlier withdrawn from the race before the announcement of results, alleging widespread irregularities and vote manipulation during the primary process. He also claimed to have witnessed some of the alleged infractions personally.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” he had said at the time.
READ ALSO Atiku Visits Amaechi After ADC Presidential Primary Meeting
Despite his withdrawal, the ADC proceeded with the primary results, declaring Atiku winner with 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi placed second and Hayatu-Deen came third.
Following the announcement, Amaechi also rejected the outcome, describing the process as “concocted” and alleging widespread disenfranchisement during the exercise.
Since emerging as the party’s candidate, Atiku has intensified reconciliation efforts within the ADC, including earlier engagements aimed at mending divisions among key stakeholders.
Party leadership has defended the credibility of the primary, with National Chairman David Mark stating that while there were minor challenges, the exercise was largely free and fair.
The ADC leadership also maintained that all aspirants were qualified, but only one candidate could emerge as the party’s standard bearer.
Atiku and Amaechi, along with other opposition figures, joined the ADC in July 2025 as part of a broader political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.