Former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar has been declared the winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election, positioning himself as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 general elections.
The returning officer, Tunde Ogbeha, announced the final results on Wednesday night. According to the party’s tally, Atiku secured the highest number of votes, while his closest challenger, Amaechi, polled 504,117 ballots. Hayatu‑Deen trailed with 177,120 votes.
The ADC reported a registered membership of 3,113,599, with a total of 2,527,977 votes cast in the primary exercise.
Reactions from Rival Candidates
Before the official declaration, both Amaechi and Hayatu‑Deen rejected the outcome, citing alleged irregularities, lack of transparency, and procedural violations. They argued that the process did not reflect a fair contest and raised concerns about voting irregularities.
Atiku’s Appeal for Unity
After being announced the winner, Atiku reached out to his rivals, urging them to work together toward the 2027 elections. He emphasized that there are no true winners or losers in a party contest and called on all participants to unite and build a stronger platform for the general election.
The former Vice‑President also appealed to every member who took part in the primary to set aside differences and collaborate on a cohesive strategy that will strengthen the ADC’s chances nationwide.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the primary concluded, the ADC now turns its focus to preparing for the 2027 general elections. Atiku’s victory sets the stage for a unified campaign, provided the party can address the concerns raised by the dissenting candidates and maintain internal cohesion.
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