Atiku, Amaechi hold strategic talks after ADC primary battle

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disclosed that his recent meeting with former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, centred on Nigeria’s deepening economic and security challenges and the urgent need for national rescue efforts.

Atiku revealed this on Thursday after visiting Amaechi at his Abuja residence, barely a day after defeating him to clinch the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election.

In a statement posted on his X handle, the former vice president said the discussion focused on the current condition of the country and the responsibility of leaders to seek solutions to the nation’s growing problems.

According to him, the meeting was marked by frank conversations on economic hardship, insecurity, and the future of Nigeria.

“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 on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair,” Atiku stated.

The ADC presidential candidate also disclosed that he congratulated Amaechi on his birthday during the visit and jokingly linked the celebration to Arsenal Football Club’s recent triumph.

Atiku described the former Minister of Transportation as “a thoroughly well-loaded Gunner,” saying Amaechi took the football jokes in good faith.

He further revealed that the former Rivers governor promised to host him with Fisherman Soup during a future visit after apologising for not preparing the delicacy during the meeting.

“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 added.

The meeting followed a fiercely contested ADC presidential primary held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where Atiku emerged victorious.

Official figures released by the party showed that Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes.

Following the declaration of results, the party leadership led by former Senate President David Mark presented the ADC flag to Atiku as the party’s presidential standard bearer for the 2027 election.

Atiku subsequently appealed to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to work with him in building a united opposition platform ahead of the polls.

However, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome of the primary election, citing alleged irregularities in the voting process.

Hayatu-Deen also declined to attend the official announcement of the results.