The African Democratic Congress is set to begin the process of selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election today, with party members across Nigeria expected to participate in the exercise.
The party has adopted the direct primary method after its three leading aspirants — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — reportedly declined calls to step down for a consensus candidate.
Atiku enters the contest as a leading contender, backed by years of political experience, national visibility and a strong network built over decades in public service.
Amaechi is also considered a strong challenger, with supporters citing his record as former Rivers governor and his role in major railway projects during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Hayatu-Deen, meanwhile, is campaigning on economic reforms, youth employment and institutional restructuring, positioning himself as a technocratic alternative focused on governance and economic recovery.
However, the party’s internal crisis deepened on Sunday after a faction loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu dissolved its National Working Committee and declared him its sole presidential candidate during a separate convention in Abuja.
The outcome of today’s primary is expected to determine who will challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
