Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Primary, Beats Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen Across Multiple States

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, defeating Rotimi Amaechi and Muhammad Hayatu-Deen in returns across multiple states.

Atiku secured 139,334 votes in Gombe State alone, with wins also confirmed in Kano, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Taraba. Collation was still ongoing as of Tuesday evening, but the former vice president had built an insurmountable lead in the early returns.

Hayatu-Deen Pulls Out

The primary was not without controversy. Muhammad Hayatu-Deen pulled out of the race before collation was completed, alleging irregularities in the process. His withdrawal came after days of internal tension within the party over the conduct of the primaries.

Rotimi Amaechi, the former Rivers State governor and ex-Transportation Minister, also contested but trailed significantly in the states where results were declared.

ADC’s Road to 2027

The ADC primary is a major milestone in the party’s preparation for the 2027 general elections. Atiku’s victory positions him as the ADC’s standard-bearer, though questions remain about the party’s ability to forge a broad opposition coalition ahead of the presidential election.

Atiku’s campaign had pushed the message of experience and national unity, framing his candidacy as the best chance to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027. His victory in the primary gives him the platform to pursue that goal under the ADC banner.

Sources: Daily Trust, Premium Times, The Nation