Photo: Atiku and Amaechi during the visit
By: Daniel Kanu
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday visited former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, at his Abuja residence in what political observers see as a strategic reconciliation move ahead of the next general election.
The visit comes days after tensions emerged within the ADC following the party’s presidential primaries, where Amaechi and former presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome that produced Atiku as the party’s flagbearer.
Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen had alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exercise, insisting that the process was manipulated. The disagreement raised concerns among party loyalists about possible divisions within the opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming presidential election.
However, Atiku, during his acceptance speech after clinching the ADC ticket, appealed to his co-contestants to put aside their grievances and join forces with him in what he described as a collective mission to “rescue Nigeria.”
Thursday’s meeting with Amaechi is widely interpreted as part of ongoing efforts to heal internal cracks within the party and project unity ahead of the campaign season.
Sharing details of the visit on his X handle, Atiku described the engagement as frank and cordial, saying discussions centred on Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.
“This afternoon, I visited my brother and compatriot, former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, at his Abuja residence,” Atiku wrote.
“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.”
The former vice president also used the occasion to celebrate Amaechi’s recent birthday while injecting a lighter tone into the conversation with football banter.
“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. Chief Amaechi, a thoroughly well-loaded Gunner, took the banter in very good spirits,” he added.
Atiku further disclosed that the meeting would continue in another round, joking about Amaechi’s promise to serve him Rivers delicacies during the next visit.
“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,” he said.
Political analysts say the rapprochement between Atiku and Amaechi could significantly strengthen the ADC’s chances as opposition parties intensify consultations and coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
