The African Democratic Congress is working to mend its internal fractures and lock in its place as the “Third Force.” Senior figures in the party have begun serious talks aimed at closing ranks.
Atiku and Hayatu-Deen have agreed to drop their grievances and pull together for the general elections. The meeting follows weeks of bad feeling after the ADC presidential primaries, which left several candidates and longtime members openly unhappy.
Hayatu-Deen and other prominent voices had criticised how the primaries were run. They called the process a clear break from the party’s original commitments to fairness and merit.
The sit-down with Atiku seems to have eased the tension. A source close to the group said the party’s survival and the need to give Nigerians a genuine alternative simply matter more than personal scores.
“The leaders discussed the flaws of the primary extensively,” the source said. “While Hayatu-Deen maintained his stance on the irregularities of the process, he accepted the olive branch extended by Atiku. Both leaders agreed that the ADC remains the best platform to rescue the nation, provided it cleans its internal house.”
Political watchers say the truce matters. Hayatu-Deen carries weight in the private sector and across Northern political circles. Pulling him back in adds serious intellectual and strategic capacity.
Atiku’s strength on the ground paired with Hayatu-Deen’s policy focus could give the campaign real momentum. As the party gets ready to campaign, the signal from this meeting is straightforward: they are choosing reconciliation instead of continued fighting.
Whether the newly united front will sway a doubtful electorate is another question. For the moment, though, the ADC has avoided a damaging split.
