Atiku Meets Hayatu-Deen Amid Moves to Reunite ADC After Controversial Primary

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has met behind closed doors with fellow party chieftain and former presidential aspirant, Hayatu-Deen, as efforts intensify to reconcile aggrieved members following the party’s controversial presidential primary.

The meeting took place at Atiku’s Lagos residence and is widely seen as part of broader moves to rebuild unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general election. Sources familiar with the discussions said the engagement focused on addressing concerns raised during the primary election and fostering cohesion among party stakeholders.

Hayatu-Deen was one of the leading contenders in the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

However, before the official announcement of the results, Hayatu-Deen publicly withdrew from the contest, citing alleged widespread irregularities and vote manipulation. Expressing concern at the time, he said reports from across the country pointed to serious electoral malpractice.

“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 personally observed,” he said.

Despite his withdrawal, the party later declared Atiku winner of the primary with 1,846,370 votes. Amaechi finished second with 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes.

Amaechi also rejected the outcome, describing the results as fabricated and alleging that many members were disenfranchised during the process.

Since securing the party’s ticket, Atiku has embarked on consultations aimed at healing divisions and consolidating support ahead of the next election cycle.

Before meeting Hayatu-Deen, he had held separate talks with Amaechi, during which both men reportedly discussed Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.

Atiku later described the engagement as a sincere conversation on “the troubling state of the nation, the growing economic pain, insecurity and the urgent responsibility on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions.”

ADC National Chairman David Mark has maintained that the primary election was credible despite acknowledging operational shortcomings.

According to him, all the aspirants were qualified to fly the party’s flag, but only one candidate could ultimately emerge.

Political observers say Atiku’s ongoing reconciliation efforts could prove critical in preventing internal divisions from weakening the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections.