Atiku Abubakar visited Rotimi Amaechi at his Abuja home on Thursday. The closed-door meeting appeared aimed at healing rifts within the African Democratic Congress.
Abubakar, the party's newly chosen 2027 presidential flagbearer, came with a delegation. Former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal and ex-ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu accompanied him.
The visit happened just a day after the ADC's primary election results. Abubakar had defeated Amaechi decisively in that contest.
Official tallies showed Abubakar secured 1,846,370 votes. Amaechi trailed with 504,117 votes, while economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 177,120 votes.
Party leadership, headed by ex-Senate President David Mark, presented Abubakar with the ADC flag. Abubakar then appealed for unity within party ranks.
"I appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to return to the party and close ranks with the rest of us," he told supporters.
Abubakar specifically addressed both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen. He urged them to join his bid against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
"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," Abubakar stated.
He stressed there were no clear victors or losers. Everyone would work together to strengthen the party, he insisted.
Both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the primary results beforehand. They'd cited voting irregularities in their complaints.
What happened during Thursday's private meeting remained unclear. Sources close to the parties hadn't released details as of publication time.
