A former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is holding a closed-door meeting with his rival, Hayatu-Deen, at his Lagos residence in what is being seen as a reconciliation effort following the party’s presidential primary.
According to Channels Television on Sunday, the meeting comes days after Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate and was presented with the party flag after being declared winner of the primary.
The development follows discontent among some aspirants over the conduct of the exercise.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen had rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging manipulation of the voting process. Hayatu-Deen had also said he would not attend the announcement of the result.
Following his victory, Atiku appealed to aggrieved aspirants and party members to put the contest behind them and work together for the party ahead of the general election.
“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” Atiku said.
The former vice president also extended a direct appeal to his fellow contestants, urging them to join him in what he described as a broader effort to address the country’s challenges.
“In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Muhammad Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” he said.
Atiku maintained that the outcome of the primary should not divide the party, stressing that internal contests should not create permanent factions.
“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership, and I am ready to lead,” he added.
He further pledged to work with other aspirants and stakeholders to strengthen the party ahead of the next general election, saying, “I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and if Nigeria’s leaders demand it, govern with you to build a country that works for all of us.”
The meeting with Hayatu-Deen comes days after Atiku paid a visit to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at his Abuja residence, another move widely viewed as part of efforts to unite the party after the presidential primary and consolidate support ahead of the election.