Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for unity within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Speaking after his victory at the party’s presidential primary, Atiku said he would reach out to other aspirants for reconciliation and party unity.
Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen boycotted the announcement of the election results over allegations of irregularities and rigging.
Addressing party members, Atiku congratulated the other contestants and praised their commitment to Nigeria.
“I know that you are driven by your patriotism and commitment to a better Nigeria,” he said.
The former vice-president said all the aspirants shared concerns about insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as growing political intolerance under the ruling government.
THE PRIMARY SHOULD NOT DIVIDE US
Atiku said the conclusion of the primary should not divide members of the party.
“This is not the time to celebrate,” he said.
“No one was defeated because we are one party.”
He urged party members to unite against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
“We have to unite to pull our country and our people out of the destructive grip of a corrupt, incompetent and polarising APC government,” he said.
Atiku also commended the primary election committee for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent process.
“With the primaries behind us, the real hard work is about to begin,” he said.
The former vice-president appealed directly to aggrieved aspirants and party members to return and work together ahead of the general election.
“I appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said.
Atiku specifically invited Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join him in building the party and campaigning for victory.
“I invite Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” he said.
“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers.”
