Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday held a private meeting with fellow aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, at his Lagos residence in what appears to be an effort to ease post-primary tensions within the party.
Atiku later disclosed the meeting in a statement shared after the visit, noting that discussions focused on the condition of the country and the future of the party. According to him, both men engaged in open and constructive dialogue and agreed on the need for cooperation moving forward.
He said the meeting was part of a broader effort to foster unity after the party’s presidential primary, which he recently won and in which he was officially presented with the party’s flag.
Tensions had trailed the exercise, with some aspirants expressing dissatisfaction over the conduct and outcome of the election. Among those who raised concerns were former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen, both of whom alleged irregularities in the process.
Despite the disagreements, Atiku has continued to call for reconciliation, urging aggrieved members to set aside grievances and support the party’s broader objective ahead of the general election.
He reiterated that internal competition should not lead to division, stressing the importance of unity in addressing Nigeria’s challenges. He also extended an invitation to his former rivals to join forces with him in rebuilding the party and strengthening its chances in the next election cycle.
The Lagos meeting followed a similar outreach visit to Amaechi in Abuja, signaling ongoing efforts to consolidate support and calm internal disputes within the ADC following the primary.