Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday visited former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, at his Abuja residence.

The visit came hours after the Adamawa-born politician was declared winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary on Wednesday, defeating Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Atiku said the visit provided an opportunity for “deep and honest conversations” about the state of the nation, worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and the responsibility of patriotic Nigerians to seek solutions to the country’s challenges.

“We had 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 said.

The former vice president added that he also congratulated Amaechi on his birthday and joked about Arsenal’s recent success.

“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.

“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,” Atiku added.

The ADC announced on Wednesday that Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat his closest rival, Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes.

The party said Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes.

However, Amaechi rejected the outcome of the exercise, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement during the primary.

Similarly, Hayatu-Deen said he would not attend the announcement of the presidential primary results, citing allegations of widespread vote rigging.

Reacting to the controversy, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, said the party conducted a free contest and allowed members to make their choice.

He acknowledged that the exercise was not perfect but noted that there was room for improvement.

According to Mark, each of the aspirants was qualified to lead the party, but only one candidate could emerge as its presidential flag bearer.

Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside other opposition figures as part of a broader political realignment aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.