Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), visited Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at his Lagos residence on Sunday as part of efforts to unite the party after its presidential primary.
Hayatu-Deen had boycotted the announcement of the ADC presidential primary results over allegations of irregularities.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Atiku said he and Hayatu-Deen had resolved to work together to strengthen the party and defeat the ruling APC in the 2027 election.
“I have come to visit my brother, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, and also a fellow contestant in the last ADC presidential primary election,” Atiku said.
“First and foremost, there is no personal quarrel between Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and myself.”
“We basically discussed how we can unite the party and also promote the party to Nigerians so that we achieve victory and drive away the APC government.”
The former vice-president said Nigeria’s current challenges require opposition leaders to close ranks irrespective of their differences.
“I am 79. He is 70-something. He is my younger brother. But we have never seen Nigeria so badly,” he said.
“We believe we need to unite. No matter our differences, we need to unite to make sure that this country is saved from collapse.”
“We have always worked together. During the last election cycle, we worked together and we are also going to work together this time.”
A PRODUCTIVE MEETING
Also speaking, Hayatu-Deen described the meeting as productive and focused on preparations for the 2027 election.
“I am deeply grateful that the former vice-president and the presidential candidate found the time to come with a high-powered entourage to pay a courtesy call on me,” he said.
“Our discussions were productive, very useful, and purely geared towards how we are going to move forward after clinching the party’s ticket.”
Hayatu-Deen said the party was preparing to launch a vigorous campaign ahead of the election.
“We want to ensure that we take decisive steps in launching a very vigorous and serious campaign so that we can put him and the party in office in January 2027,” he said.
He added that the ADC was offering Nigerians an alternative to the current administration.
“We are looking for national renewal and national rebirth, and I believe we are going to give them a very good run for their money,” he said.
“They will be standing on their record, and that record is quite problematic. We will offer something new, something different, something visionary that will take this country forward.”
