Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the 2027 general election after defeating Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The result was announced at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton during the final collation and declaration of votes conducted by the party leadership led by former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark. After the announcement, Atiku was presented with the party’s flag as its standard bearer for the next presidential election.
According to the final figures released by the party, Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen got 177,120 votes. The total votes cast stood at 2,546,457 from a membership strength of over three million party members who participated in the exercise across the country.
The ADC began its presidential primary on May 25, 2026, using the direct primary method after efforts to produce a consensus candidate failed. All three aspirants insisted on contesting the election, forcing the party to allow members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to vote directly for their preferred candidates.
Following his victory, Atiku called for unity within the party and appealed to aggrieved members and supporters to work together ahead of the 2027 election. He also reached out to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen, asking them to join hands with him in strengthening the party and preparing for the national election.
Atiku said the primary should not create division within the ADC, adding that everyone involved in the contest remained members of the same political family. He promised to work with party stakeholders, aspirants and supporters to build a stronger opposition platform capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027.
The former vice president also said the party would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including insecurity, economic hardship, healthcare and education. He promised that the ADC would work towards improving the welfare of citizens if elected into office.
He accused the current administration of failing to improve the living condition of Nigerians and said the opposition must unite to provide a better alternative for the country. According to him, the ADC would campaign on rebuilding the economy, improving security and restoring public confidence in governance.
However, the outcome of the primary did not go down well with the other aspirants. Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the result before the final declaration, alleging irregularities in the process. Hayatu-Deen had earlier announced that he would not attend the final collation and declaration event because of concerns over the conduct of the exercise.
Despite the complaints, ADC leaders maintained that the primary was transparent and peaceful. David Mark said the exercise showed that democracy and political competition could still thrive in Nigeria without violence or confusion. He praised party members and officials for conducting the process peacefully despite pressure and tension surrounding the election.
Mark also commended the screening committee and primary election committee for carrying out their duties successfully. According to him, the conduct of the primary had strengthened confidence in the ADC and proved that internal democracy was still possible in Nigerian politics.
The ADC leadership said the primary marked an important stage in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election as it now shifts attention to reconciliation, mobilisation and campaign activities across the country.