Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election, defeating former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and ex-banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s direct primary election.
The results of the primary were announced on Wednesday night at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where party leaders officially presented the ADC flag to Atiku following his victory.
According to the announced figures, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes. A total of 2,546,457 votes were cast from the party’s reported membership base of 3,113,599.
The primary process, which began on May 25, involved party members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The ADC adopted the direct primary method after all three aspirants declined pressure to step down for a consensus arrangement.
Speaking after his emergence, Atiku called for reconciliation within the party and urged members to unite ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to return and work with the party,” he said, while specifically inviting Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join what he described as a collective effort to strengthen democracy and reposition the country.
The former vice president stressed that the primary contest should not create divisions within the opposition party, insisting that all aspirants remained important stakeholders in the ADC project.
“There are no winners and no losers. We are one party and must remain focused on the task ahead,” Atiku declared.
He pledged to work closely with party leaders and former rivals to strengthen the ADC ahead of the general election, promising collaboration on governance and national development if elected president.
Despite the outcome, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the results, alleging irregularities and manipulation during the voting process. Hayatu-Deen also indicated he would boycott the official declaration ceremony.
In his address, Atiku accused the ruling party of undermining opposition politics and claimed opposition figures were facing intimidation and political pressure. He, however, commended the ADC for conducting what he described as a democratic process.
The ADC candidate also outlined key areas of focus for his campaign, including security reform, economic recovery, healthcare improvement and expanded access to education.
He criticised the country’s current economic conditions, arguing that rising poverty, borrowing policies and subsidy-related challenges had increased hardship for citizens.
On education, Atiku promised to pursue free and compulsory basic education, citing the growing number of out-of-school children across the country. He also pledged to improve healthcare infrastructure and strengthen primary healthcare systems to reduce dependence on overseas medical treatment.
Atiku said the conclusion of the primary marked the beginning of broader preparations for the 2027 presidential election, adding that the party would intensify efforts to present what he described as a renewed national agenda.
