Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election after defeating his rivals in the party’s nationwide primary election.
The ADC announced that Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to clinch the party’s ticket, comfortably defeating former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes.
Businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 177,120 votes.
The outcome of the primary marks a major political milestone for the opposition party as it prepares to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Atiku Praises ADC Primary Process
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner, Atiku commended the ADC leadership and members for conducting what he described as a democratic and transparent process.
According to him, the conduct of the primary demonstrated that democratic values were still alive within the opposition party despite challenges confronting Nigeria’s political system.
“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by its ruling party and its operatives, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku stated during his acceptance speech.
The former Vice President also appreciated party members across the country for participating peacefully in the exercise.
David Mark Defends Exercise
National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, defended the conduct of the primary, saying the party created a level playing field for all aspirants.
Mark admitted that the exercise was not entirely flawless but insisted that the process reflected the will of party members.
According to him, every aspirant who participated in the contest possessed the capacity to lead the country, but only one candidate could eventually emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
The ADC presidential primary was conducted across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards using the Option A4 voting system, where party members openly queued behind their preferred aspirants.
The contest attracted national attention as Atiku, Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen battled for control of the party’s presidential ticket.
In spite of Atiku’s victory, the exercise immediately generated controversy as Amaechi rejected the outcome of the election, alleging widespread irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
In a statement posted on X, the former Rivers State governor described the results as manipulated and unacceptable.
“Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi said.
His rejection of the results is expected to deepen internal tensions within the party as preparations begin for the 2027 election campaign.
Hayatu-Deen Raises Rigging Allegations
Mohammed Hayatu-Deen also expressed dissatisfaction with the process, alleging widespread vote manipulation during the primary.
The businessman announced that he would not attend the official declaration of results due to concerns over the credibility of the exercise.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today,” he said in a statement.
“I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
The allegations by both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen have raised fresh questions about unity within the opposition party after the keenly contested exercise.
Opposition Realignment Ahead Of 2027
Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside several opposition figures as part of a broader coalition aimed at unseating the APC in the 2027 general election.
The opposition realignment initially included former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Musa Kwankwaso.
However, Obi later defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Kwankwaso, reshaping the opposition landscape ahead of the polls.
Political observers believe Atiku’s emergence further strengthens his position as one of the leading opposition figures preparing to challenge Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times, is widely regarded as a seasoned political heavyweight with a strong national structure and significant influence in the northern region.
On the other hand, Hayatu-Deen projected himself during the campaign as a technocratic candidate focused on economic reforms, governance, and institutional development.
ADC Faces Defining Political Moment
With the presidential primary concluded, the ADC now faces the challenge of consolidating its internal structure and uniting aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 election.
Analysts said the party’s ability to manage post-primary grievances and maintain cohesion could determine its strength as a major opposition platform.
Atiku is now expected to lead the party’s campaign against President Bola Tinubu and the APC as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election begin to gather momentum across the country.
