The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cleared all three presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket ahead of Monday’s direct primary election for the 2027 general election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Hayatu-Deen Mohammed were all approved by the party’s presidential screening committee to participate in the nationwide exercise.
The party also cleared hundreds of other aspirants contesting various elective positions across the country.
According to party officials, 513 House of Representatives aspirants, 109 senatorial aspirants, and 80 governorship aspirants were screened successfully ahead of the primaries.
The direct primary elections are scheduled to take place in the 8,809 wards across the federation beginning Monday, May 25.
Former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, chaired the high-powered Presidential Screening Committee responsible for vetting the aspirants.
Other members of the committee include Hon. CID Maduabum, who served as secretary, alongside Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Prof. David Salifu, and retired Colonel Abubakar Ali Ciroma.
Sources within the committee disclosed that attempts to reach a consensus among the presidential aspirants were unsuccessful, making a direct primary contest inevitable.
One of the sources, who spoke anonymously, revealed that none of the contenders agreed to step down for another aspirant during consultations held by the committee.
“We spoke to the presidential aspirants and none of them agreed to step down for each other,” the source said.
“So, we have recommended that the leadership of the party put in motion all processes for the direct primary election as directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The source further explained that all aspirants had already been informed that the presidential nomination election would be conducted across the wards nationwide.
Earlier, Rotimi Amaechi had publicly insisted on remaining in the race, dismissing suggestions that he could eventually emerge as a running mate to another candidate.
Speaking after appearing before the screening committee, the former minister stated clearly that he was not interested in any vice-presidential arrangement.
“I don’t want to be vice president. I made myself clear,” Amaechi declared.
He stressed that his ambition was solely focused on contesting for the presidency and not tied to negotiations for any secondary political role.
Amaechi also outlined part of his political agenda, saying he would abolish the federal character principle if elected president in 2027.
According to him, all Nigerians should enjoy equal citizenship rights without considerations based on ethnicity, region, or state of origin.
The third aspirant, Hayatu-Deen Mohammed, was more cautious in his remarks regarding the race. Although he did not indicate any intention to withdraw from the contest, he suggested that he would ultimately abide by the decisions of the party leadership.
Speaking to Thisday, the economist said he was prepared to follow the direction of the party as the primary process unfolds.
With no consensus candidate emerging ahead of the exercise, the ADC now appears set for a competitive presidential primary contest involving three high-profile aspirants seeking to lead the party into the 2027 election.
