Atiku, Hayatu-Deen hold closed-door reconciliation meeting after ADC primary tension
Atiku Abubakar, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen Meet for Reconciliation Following ADC Primary Discontent
LAGOS — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), held a closed-door meeting with his former rival, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, at his residence on Sunday. This meeting aimed to address ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party following tensions stemming from the recent presidential primary.
Sources indicated that the meeting is part of a broader initiative to unify aggrieved candidates in light of the ADC’s recent primary, as the party prepares for the 2027 general election.
Hayatu-Deen is expected to hold a press briefing following the discussions. His engagement with Abubakar comes shortly after the ADC primary, where Abubakar was declared the party’s flag bearer. Hayatu-Deen and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi also sought the nomination.
Hayatu-Deen notably withdrew from the race before results were officially announced, citing concerns over alleged irregularities and vote manipulation. In a public statement, he expressed his observations of electoral malpractice, leading to his decision to refrain from attending the results announcement.
“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 said at the time.
Despite his withdrawal, the ADC announced the results, with Abubakar winning 1,846,370 votes. Amaechi followed with 504,117 votes, and Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes.
Amaechi also contested the results, labeling the primary as “concocted” and alleging significant disenfranchisement.
Since securing the party nomination, Abubakar has ramped up reconciliation efforts, including prior meetings with Amaechi focused on addressing internal conflicts. These discussions have highlighted the pressing economic and security challenges facing the nation and emphasized the need for collective action.
ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark defended the primary’s conduct, asserting it was largely fair, despite minor challenges. He acknowledged that while all candidates were qualified, only one could emerge as the party’s nominee.
In July 2025, Abubakar and Amaechi joined the ADC, along with other opposition figures, as part of a strategic political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the approaching election.
