The Presidential Screening Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has screened three presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election. The aspirants are expected to contest the party’s presidential ticket on May 25.
Party leaders have intensified consultations with the aspirants to reach a consensus and avoid the logistics and costs of conducting direct primaries. The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, told Daily Trust that the party has yet to decide on the mode of primary to adopt.
“Not yet,” Abdullahi said.
A party source, however, said consultations are ongoing among party leaders and the aspirants to ensure a smooth resolution.
“The party leaders are speaking among themselves. They are also engaging the presidential aspirants. The leadership wants the issue resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible. But if the aspirants fail to come to a compromise, the party will have no option but to go for direct primary,” the source said.
The source added that the party remains committed to ensuring that the consensus arrangement succeeds.
Amaechi Open to Consensus If Process Is Transparent
Speaking with journalists after his screening, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said he would accept a consensus arrangement if the process is transparent and involves all aspirants.
“I’m a member of the party. So, if that is the party’s decision, and it is a process all of us participate in, then why not?” he said.
Amaechi also clarified that he did not purchase the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to become anybody’s running mate. He said his performance as governor would form part of his campaign credentials. He partly blamed rising insecurity on systemic failures and widespread youth unemployment, promising to tackle these challenges if elected.
Hayatu-Deen: ADC Credible Platform to Defeat APC
Also speaking after the exercise, former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Hayatu-Deen, expressed confidence in the ADC, describing it as a credible platform capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said Nigeria can no longer afford politics without direction at a time citizens are battling hardship, insecurity, and unemployment. His campaign would focus on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, including the rising cost of living, insecurity, job creation, and restoring economic confidence.
“We cannot continue to normalise poverty, fear and hopelessness as the national condition. This election must be about the future of Nigerian families, whether people can afford food, whether young people can find jobs, whether farmers can safely return to their farms, and whether businesses can survive and grow again,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen said the ADC offers an opportunity to build a broad national coalition anchored on competence, unity, and economic renewal.
Atiku Unveils Economic Rescue Blueprint, Security Action Plan
Efforts to speak with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after the screening were unsuccessful. However, in a statement issued afterward, Atiku unveiled what he described as an economic rescue blueprint and security action plan for a nation “bleeding from economic distress and escalating insecurity.”
The statement, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the exercise was more than a routine party process. Atiku used the screening to present a practical pathway for rescuing Nigeria from economic stagnation, mass unemployment, institutional decline, and worsening insecurity.
His economic plan would focus on job creation, private sector expansion, fiscal discipline, stable macroeconomic management, and restoring Nigeria as a destination for investment and sustainable growth. On security, Atiku expressed concern over killings and abductions across the country, saying no responsible government should watch citizens being killed in their communities or abducted on highways, farms, and in their homes. His security strategy would prioritise intelligence-driven operations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, decentralised security architecture, and the political will to confront criminality decisively.
Screening Committee and Next Steps
The Presidential Screening Committee is chaired by Liyel Imoke. Other members include C.I.D. Maduabum, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode Ayorinde, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, David Salifu, and Abubakar Ali Ciroma.
The ADC is expected to announce its mode of primary and possibly a consensus candidate in the coming days as the party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
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