Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday visited former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at his residence in Abuja, barely a day after emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The visit came shortly after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary election, where Atiku defeated Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to secure the ADC ticket for the 2027 presidential race.
Atiku described the meeting as an opportunity to hold frank discussions on the current challenges confronting the country, including worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
According to him, the talks focused on finding practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing political and socio-economic concerns.
“The visit centred on deep and honest conversations about the troubling state of the 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,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president also used the opportunity to celebrate Amaechi’s birthday, adding a light-hearted moment to the political meeting.
“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,” he said.
Atiku added that Amaechi, whom he described as a passionate Arsenal supporter, received the banter warmly.
“Chief Amaechi, a thoroughly well-loaded Gunner, took the banter in very good spirits,” he added.
He further revealed that the former Rivers governor jokingly apologised for not preparing Fisherman Soup, a delicacy associated with Rivers State hospitality.
“In true Rivers hospitality, he apologised for not having enough time to prepare Fisherman Soup, a delicacy I have now been promised on our return for the second leg,” Atiku said.
Results released by the ADC on Wednesday showed that Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to emerge winner of the primary election.
Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes.
However, the outcome of the primary has continued to generate controversy within the party.
Amaechi rejected the result, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement during the exercise.
Similarly, Hayatu-Deen distanced himself from the process and declined to attend the official announcement of the results, citing claims of vote manipulation and irregularities.
Despite the protests, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, defended the conduct of the primary election.
He maintained that the process was transparent and gave party members the freedom to choose their preferred candidate.
According to him, although the exercise was not perfect, it reflected the democratic principles of the party and provided room for future improvements.
Mark also noted that all the aspirants were qualified to lead the country but stressed that only one candidate could eventually emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside several opposition figures as part of a broader coalition seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
