Atiku leads ADC primaries as Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen reject results over alleged rigging
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is heading for victory in the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries with wide margins over rivals Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, according to results from four states released earlier today. In Kebbi, Atiku scored 65,523 votes to Amaechi's 5,931 and Hayatu-Deen's 454. In Anambra, he got 58,566 votes against Amaechi's 17,085 and Hayatu-Deen's 7,861. Abia gave Atiku 25,153 votes versus Amaechi's 18,339 and Hayatu-Deen's 2,264. In Ekiti, Atiku polled 18,395 votes to Amaechi's 1,574 and Hayatu-Deen's 149.
Both opponents have rejected the process credibility. Hayatu-Deen announced he would boycott the official results announcement, citing "widespread vote rigging" he claimed to have observed. Amaechi earlier called the results "concocted" and alleged voter disenfranchisement, stating the ADC should not replicate the electoral malpractice it criticizes in other parties. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party is still awaiting results from other states and has seen no evidence to confirm or dismiss the rigging claims, noting collation from eleven states is complete so far.
The primaries were monitored by INEC officials nationwide as the ADC seeks to challenge President Bola Tinubu's APC in the 2027 general election. With results still being collated from remaining states, the opposition's challenges raise immediate questions about the party's ability to present a credible alternative platform ahead of next year's polls.
Given these credibility challenges from its own presidential aspirants, does the ADC still position itself as the trustworthy alternative Nigerians seek for 2027, or do these internal disputes undermine its core promise before the general election even begins?