LAGOS — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar held a closed-door meeting with economist and fellow ADC presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at his Lagos residence on Sunday. Vanguard confirmed the reconciliation meeting. It is the latest move to heal divisions in the ADC following the controversial May 27 presidential primary.
Hayatu-Deen had boycotted the primary results announcement after alleging the exercise was flawed and non-representative. Amaechi also rejected the results. Atiku’s camp has been working to bring both men back into the fold before the campaign season formally begins in August.
Sources close to the meeting said both men spoke candidly about their concerns and areas of agreement. The conversation was described as constructive. However, no formal statement of reconciliation was issued by either camp as of Monday morning.
Why Reconciliation Matters
A united ADC front is essential for Atiku to mount a credible challenge to President Tinubu in 2027. Hayatu-Deen commands respect among Nigeria’s professional and business communities. His endorsement, even if not an active campaign role, would add credibility to Atiku’s presidential pitch.
Amaechi’s situation is more complex. His Rivers State political base and south-south appeal are valuable. However, his rejection of the primary results has been more public and more legally aggressive than Hayatu-Deen’s. Sources said a separate meeting between Atiku and Amaechi is being arranged.
Professor Otubanjo, Research Director at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, raised a broader concern in a Vanguard analysis. He said Minister Nyesom Wike’s continued influence over both the PDP and aspects of the ADC dynamics has effectively undermined Tinubu’s opposition management strategy. He said Wike has shot the president in the foot by making opposition politics more chaotic than necessary.
