Atiku On Visit To Amaechi: “I Had Conversations About Troubling State Of Our Nation

By Ayodele Oni

After his victory as the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the just concluded primary election, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku has kicked off a process of reconciliation.

He began on Thursday with a visit to former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who contested with him at his Abuja residence, and came a distant second.

He also went ahead to release details

of the meeting in his social media handle.

Atiku was accompanied by former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and other party leaders.

 Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after defeating Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen .

According to the official figures released by the party, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi secured 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes.

The party leadership, led by former Senate President David Mark, subsequently presented the ADC flag to Atiku after his victory was declared.

The ADC had adopted the direct primary method after the three aspirants declined calls for a consensus arrangement ahead of the exercise.

Speaking after the announcement of the results, Atiku appealed to aggrieved members and aspirants to unite behind the party.

“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said.

The former vice president also directly appealed to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to work with him ahead of the general election.

“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,” Atiku stated.

He stressed that the outcome of the primary should not divide the party.

“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.

Atiku further pledged to work with all stakeholders to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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,” he said.

However, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging irregularities in the voting process. Hayatu-Deen also said he would not attend the announcement of the results.

Following the visit, Atiku took to his social media handles to reveal details of the meeting.

According to him, the visit served as a means of “deep and honest conversations about the troubling state of our nation, the growing economic pain, insecurity, and the urgent responsibility on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair.”

 “This afternoon, I visited my brother and compatriot, former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, at his Abuja residence.

“Beyond the warmth and camaraderie, we had deep and honest conversations about the troubling state of our nation, the growing economic pain, insecurity, and the urgent responsibility of patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair.

“I also felicitated with him on the occasion of his birthday yesterday and teased that Arsenal’s historic triumph could not have arrived at a better time.

Chief Amaechi, a thoroughly well-loaded Gunner, took the banter in very good spirits.

“In true Rivers hospitality, he apologized for not having enough time to prepare Fisherman Soup, a delicacy I have now been promised on our return for the second leg -AA”