Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday visited former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, at his residence in Abuja, hours after emerging winner of the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Gatekeepers News reports that Atiku defeated Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s primary held on Wednesday.
Speaking on the visit, the former vice president said their discussions focused on the worsening condition of the country and the need for patriotic Nigerians to work towards finding solutions.
According to Atiku, the meeting featured “deep and honest conversations about the troubling state of the 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.”
He also used the opportunity to celebrate Amaechi on his birthday, adding a touch of humour to their interaction.
“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,” Atiku said.
The former vice president further revealed that Amaechi promised to host him to a special Rivers delicacy during a future 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 added.
The ADC announced on Wednesday that Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes.
Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside several opposition figures as part of a broader political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
