Atiku meets Hayatu-Deen in Lagos amid ongoing reconciliation talks

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar held a private meeting with a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, in Lagos on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

The consultation comes as the party intensifies internal reconciliation efforts following disputes that trailed its nationwide presidential primary election.

The direct primary election, which was conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory after the party failed to reach a consensus, saw Atiku secure an early lead with victories reported in Edo, Imo, Anambra, and Ekiti states.

However, the electoral process has been heavily contested by his main rivals for the ticket, including Hayatu-Deen and the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Both aspirants flatly rejected the preliminary outcomes, citing widespread irregularities and structural manipulation of the voting exercise.

In a bid to de-escalate brewing tensions and avert a full-blown internal crisis ahead of the final declaration of results, Atiku has initiated direct talks with aggrieved stakeholders.

His meeting with Hayatu-Deen in Lagos follows a similar consultative visit to Amaechi, signaling a concerted effort by his camp to mend fences and unify the opposition platform.

While Atiku’s representatives have consistently praised the conduct of the direct primaries, political analysts note that the outcome of these ongoing reconciliation talks will be critical.

The willingness of frontrunners like Hayatu-Deen and Amaechi to accept a compromise will determine whether the ADC can avoid a protracted legal battle and present a cohesive front ahead of the 2027 general elections.