Crisis in ADC as Hayatu-Deen Pulls Out of Presidential Primary, Alleges Rigging

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has pulled out of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, alleging widespread vote rigging across the country.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, the presidential aspirant said he would not attend the announcement of the primary results.

“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” he said.

The ADC presidential primary was conducted through direct voting across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards using the Option A4 system, where party members queued openly behind their preferred aspirants. The party reported 3,444,000 registered members eligible to participate in the exercise.

Hayatu-Deen had raised concerns about the process earlier after voting in his ward in Borno State. He said reports reaching him from across the country indicated widespread vote manipulation, and that he had received phone calls asking him to step down for an unnamed aspirant.

The ADC has insisted that it is conducting a credible and transparent primary process.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the results collated so far. Atiku has won in at least five states, including Ebonyi where he secured 15,300 votes. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen are the other major contenders in the race.

The primary results will decide who carries the ADC’s flag into the 2027 election. Hayatu-Deen’s withdrawal and the rigging allegations have thrown that process into doubt.

Sources: PM News, The Guardian