The presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opened across the country on Monday, with major contenders Atiku Abubakar, Chibuike Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen beginning their battle for the party’s presidential ticket in a nationwide exercise.
Early results from the election, which were being collated from different wards across the federation, indicated that each aspirant was dominating in their respective strongholds.
In Bolewa and Potiskum areas of Yobe State, results announced by the returning officer showed that Atiku Abubakar polled 740 votes, while Amaechi secured 15 votes and Hayatu-Deen received 2 votes.
The election process is being conducted across 8,809 wards nationwide as part of the ADC’s internal democratic structure.
In Sokoto State, Atiku reportedly recorded a landslide victory with 68,824 votes, far ahead of Hayatu-Deen, who polled 319 votes, and Amaechi, who secured 292 votes.
The result was announced at the party secretariat by the returning officer, Professor Aminu Abubakar, who declared Atiku winner based on the highest valid votes.
The African Democratic Congress (African Democratic Congress) said the primary election is being monitored across all levels and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission).
The party also disclosed that about 3.044 million digitally registered voters are expected to determine the outcome of the exercise, which is ongoing nationwide.
According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and chairman of the presidential nomination committee, Ikechi Emenike, results are being collated in real time through a digital system.
A large electronic results board has also been mounted at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja for live updates.
The party maintained that the exercise reflects its commitment to internal democracy and transparency.
Emenike said the ADC was committed to a credible process that allows all aspirants equal opportunity, describing the contest as one of the most competitive in the party’s history.
The three major contenders include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Amaechi, who voted in his Ubima Ward in Rivers State, said he would accept the outcome of the election if the process remained transparent but warned that any irregularities could lead to rejection of the results.
The former governor of Rivers State insisted that the election must be free and fair, adding that he was closely watching the conduct of the exercise.
Speaking on his political ambitions, Amaechi said his record in Rivers State demonstrated his capacity to deliver governance reforms, particularly in education, infrastructure, and security.
He also highlighted past achievements in power generation during his tenure as governor, claiming his administration generated up to 750 megawatts of electricity.
Beyond the primary, the ADC also criticised recent comments attributed to President Bola Tinubu, describing his remarks on opposition parties as dismissive and insensitive.
The party further questioned the legitimacy of reported APC primary figures, warning that such trends could undermine public trust in future elections.
As results continue to emerge from across the country, the ADC presidential primary remains tightly contested, with each aspirant seeking to consolidate support in their respective regions.
