Atiku, Hayatu-Deen hold closed-door reconciliation meeting after ADC primary tension

LAGOS — Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with his former rival, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, at his residence in Lagos as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party.

Sources according to Channelstv, said the meeting is connected to attempts to unite aggrieved aspirants following the party’s recently concluded presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election.

Hayatu-Deen is expected to address journalists after the meeting.

The engagement comes days after the ADC presidential primary in which Atiku emerged as the party’s flag bearer. Hayatu-Deen and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, were also contenders in the race.

However, Hayatu-Deen had withdrawn from the contest before the official announcement of results, alleging widespread irregularities and vote manipulation.

In a statement at the time, he expressed concern over reports of electoral malpractice across the country, saying he had personally observed some of the incidents.

“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.

Despite his withdrawal, the party proceeded with the announcement of results, declaring Atiku winner with 1,846,370 votes. Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.

Amaechi also rejected the outcome, describing the exercise as “concocted” and alleging widespread disenfranchisement during the primary.

Since clinching the ticket, Atiku has intensified reconciliation efforts within the party, including previous engagements with Amaechi aimed at mending internal divisions.

Following that earlier meeting, Atiku said discussions centred on the country’s economic challenges, insecurity, and the need for patriotic collaboration to address national decline.

Meanwhile, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, has defended the conduct of the primary, describing it as largely free and fair, though not without minor challenges.

He noted that while all aspirants were qualified to lead the party, only one candidate could emerge as flag bearer.

Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside other opposition figures as part of a broader political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

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