Atiku and Hayatu-Deen engage in private talks to resolve differences following heated ADC presidential primary.

In a significant development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, met with his former rival Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at his Lagos residence on Sunday, as part of the party's ongoing efforts to reconcile and unite its members ahead of the 2027 general election.

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This meeting comes on the heels of the party's recently concluded presidential primary, where sources indicate that attempts are being made to bring together aggrieved aspirants and promote unity within the party, according to information from Channelstv.

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Hayatu-Deen is expected to address the media following the closed-door meeting, which is seen as a crucial step in the reconciliation process, particularly given the outcome of the presidential primary.

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The ADC presidential primary, which took place recently, saw Atiku Abubakar emerge as the party's flag bearer, with Hayatu-Deen and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi also contesting for the position.

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Notably, Hayatu-Deen had withdrawn from the contest before the official results were announced, citing concerns over widespread irregularities and vote manipulation, which he claimed to have personally observed in some instances.

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In a statement at the time of his withdrawal, Hayatu-Deen expressed his concerns over reports of electoral malpractice across the country, stating that he would not attend the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results and would seek advice on his next steps.

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Despite Hayatu-Deen's withdrawal, the party proceeded to announce the results, declaring Atiku the winner with 1,846,370 votes, followed by Amaechi with 504,117 votes, and Hayatu-Deen with 177,120 votes.

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Amaechi also rejected the outcome of the primary, describing it as "concocted" and alleging widespread disenfranchisement during the exercise, further highlighting the need for reconciliation within the party.

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Since securing the party's ticket, Atiku has been actively engaged in reconciliation efforts, including a previous meeting with Amaechi aimed at addressing internal divisions and promoting unity within the party.

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During that earlier meeting, discussions focused on the country's economic challenges, insecurity, and the need for collaborative efforts to address the nation's decline, as stated by Atiku.

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Meanwhile, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark has defended the conduct of the primary, characterizing it as largely free and fair, although acknowledging some minor challenges, and noting that while all aspirants were qualified, only one could emerge as the party's flag bearer.

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Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025, along with other opposition figures, as part of a broader realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.