ADC Reconciliation Drive: Atiku Meets Hayatu-Deen in Lagos After Disputed Primary

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is leading reconciliation efforts within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a contentious presidential primary. He met with fellow aspirant Hayatu-Deen, who had withdrawn alleging malpractice, as Atiku seeks to unify the party ahead of the 2027 general election. These efforts are part of a broader political realignment to challenge the ruling APC.

Pelumi Ilesanmi • Politics • 1 month ago • 1 minute read •

Key Points

• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar met with Hayatu-Deen in Lagos to foster unity after a contentious ADC presidential primary.

• Hayatu-Deen had withdrawn from the primary citing widespread electoral malpractice, a claim also echoed by Rotimi Amaechi.

• Atiku's reconciliation efforts aim to unite aggrieved party members for a stronger challenge against President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stepped up efforts to unite the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after its controversial presidential primary, holding a closed-door meeting with fellow aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in Lagos.

The talks are part of a broader reconciliation campaign aimed at mending internal divisions and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

The meeting follows a disputed primary that produced Atiku as the ADC's presidential candidate. Before the results were announced, Hayatu-Deen withdrew from the race, alleging widespread vote manipulation and irregularities, while former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi also rejected the outcome, describing the results as lacking credibility. Despite the controversy, the party declared Atiku the winner, ahead of Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen.

Since securing the ticket, Atiku has engaged key party stakeholders, including Amaechi, in an effort to build consensus within the ADC. Party chairman David Mark has defended the primary as largely free and fair, acknowledging minor imperfections while insisting the process reflected the party's democratic choice.

The reconciliation efforts come as the ADC positions itself as a major opposition force seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027.