Atiku Abubakar Secures ADC Presidential Nomination for 2027 Elections
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially become the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming 2027 general election. He triumphed over former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatudeen during the party’s presidential primary.
Voting Results Highlight Dominance
As announced in Abuja on Wednesday evening, Atiku garnered an impressive 1,846,370 votes across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, thereby securing the ADC nomination. Amaechi followed in second place with 504,117 votes, while Hayatudeen came in third with 177,120 votes.
Official Declaration and Background of the Primary
The results were unveiled by Ikechi Emenike, Chairman of the ADC Presidential Elections Committee, with Tunde Ogbeha, a former Senator from Kogi State, serving as the Chief Returning Officer who officially proclaimed Atiku the winner. The primary commenced on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja Congress Hall and was extended to Wednesday after the Electoral Commission paused proceedings to tally results from 25 states.
Regional Breakdown of Votes
Atiku demonstrated strong support in various regions, particularly in several northern states and key areas in the southwest. In Kaduna State, for instance, Atiku received 108,784 votes, significantly outpacing Amaechi and Hayatudeen, who secured 4,454 and 2,434 votes, respectively. The ADC also dominated in Bauchi, where Atiku achieved a notable victory with 115,410 votes compared to Amaechi’s 1,127 votes and Hayatudeen’s 1,845 votes.
Sway in the Niger Delta
While Atiku’s performance was impressive in numerous regions, Amaechi exhibited significant strength in the Niger Delta, particularly in his home state of Rivers, where he achieved a commanding 115,650 votes. In contrast, Atiku received only 912 votes in Rivers, while Hayatudeen managed 1,142 votes. Amaechi also emerged victorious in Delta State University with 35,325 votes, leaving Atiku and Hayatudeen trailing significantly.
Disputed Results Ignite Controversy
The announcement of the results sparked immediate protests from both Amaechi and Hayatudeen. Both candidates raised concerns over alleged irregularities during the voting process, claiming the party leadership manipulated the results. Details of their grievances had not been shared publicly at the time of this report.
The ADC’s Aspirations Amidst Challenges
This primary marked a significant milestone for the ADC as the first major presidential campaign from the opposition coalition, which aims to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. Following growing dissatisfaction within the APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ADC has recently attracted several prominent political figures.
Atiku’s Call for Democratic Integrity
In his acceptance speech, Atiku criticized the APC-led government for undermining democracy and attempting to weaken opposition parties through intimidation. He called for unity within the ADC, stating, “This abuse of power must stop.” ADC’s national chairman, David Mark, emphasized that the primaries demonstrated that democracy can thrive in Nigeria, asserting that voters were allowed to choose freely without predetermined outcomes. Despite the controversies surrounding the results, party leaders remain hopeful that the ADC will unify in preparation for what promises to be a highly competitive presidential election in 2027.
