By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
ABUJA — Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with his major challenger in the party’s recently concluded presidential primary, former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, amid growing efforts to unite the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The meeting came days after a fiercely contested ADC presidential primary in the nation, Nigeria, where Atiku emerged victorious over Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to secure the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 race.
The primary election, which attracted national attention due to the calibre of aspirants involved, was seen by political observers as a major test of the ADC’s internal democratic process and growing ambition to position itself as a formidable alternative platform ahead of the next general election.
Although the exact details of Thursday’s meeting were not officially disclosed as of press time, party insiders revealed that the talks were part of broader reconciliation efforts aimed at healing divisions that emerged during and after the primary election.
Amaechi had openly rejected the outcome of the exercise shortly before the official declaration of results, alleging that the process was marred by irregularities and lacked transparency. His position sparked concerns among party loyalists and supporters over possible internal cracks within the ADC at a critical political moment.
Political analysts believe the post-primary tension could significantly affect the party’s chances in 2027 if unresolved, especially as the ADC seeks to strengthen its national appeal and attract dissatisfied members from the country’s major political parties.
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In his acceptance speech after emerging winner of the primary, Atiku had appealed to aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders to put aside their grievances and work collectively toward what he described as “a national rescue mission.”
He stressed the need for unity within the party, noting that internal cohesion would be crucial if the ADC intends to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next presidential election.
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Sources familiar with Thursday’s meeting hinted that Atiku may have sought Amaechi’s support and political structure, particularly in Rivers State and the South-South region, where the former governor remains influential.
Amaechi, a former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and one-time presidential aspirant under the APC, is regarded as one of the most experienced political figures in the country, with a strong grassroots network and national political reach.
The Merit Newspaper acknowledges that the ADC presidential primary had generated widespread reactions across the political landscape, with supporters of various aspirants expressing mixed opinions over the conduct of the exercise.
Observers say the outcome of the reconciliation moves between Atiku and Amaechi could determine the level of stability and unity within the ADC as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Neither Atiku nor Amaechi addressed journalists after Thursday’s meeting, leaving party members and political observers speculating on whether the discussions would lead to a lasting truce within the opposition party.
