The emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate, ADEMU IDAKWO reports, has triggered fresh tensions over zoning, unity and party stability ahead of the 2027 election.
The nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may have handed the party its most recognisable political figure ahead of the 2027 general election. Still, the outcome of the party’s first major internal contest has also exposed deep cracks within the opposition platform over zoning, regional balance, and the party’s future direction.
Although the presidential primary, conducted through a direct voting system across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, largely produced the outcome many party insiders had anticipated, the aftermath of the exercise has triggered anxiety within sections of the party, particularly among supporters of southern aspirants who believe the emergence of another northern candidate could complicate the ADC’s political calculations ahead of 2027.
Official figures released by the party showed that the ADC has a total registered membership of 3,113,599, of which 2,527,977 participated in the presidential primary.
Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to emerge the winner of the contest, defeating former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while businessman and presidential hopeful Mohammed Hayatu-Deen scored 177,120 votes.
Despite the wide margin of victory, signs of internal discontent emerged almost immediately after the exercise, with supporters of Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen openly questioning the process’s credibility and warning that unresolved grievances could deepen divisions within the party.
Amaechi, in a strongly worded statement rejecting the outcome of the primary, described the results as “concocted” and lacking credibility, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement across several parts of the country.
“I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” the former Rivers State governor declared.
“I had initially stated that I would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process were free, fair and transparent, and I stand by my word.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold.”
Amaechi further alleged that many party members were prevented from participating in the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty per cent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” he queried.
He also accused the ADC of allegedly engaging in the same electoral practices it frequently accuses the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of perpetrating.
“A party that criticises the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results cannot itself engage in vote buying, writing of results and other electoral malpractices. This is not acceptable,” he added.
Hayatu-Deen also raised concerns about the exercise’s credibility, alleging widespread irregularities and attempts to pressure him into stepping down in favour of another candidate.
Speaking after voting in his ward in Borno State, Hayatu-Deen claimed he received several phone calls urging him to withdraw from the race in favour of another aspirant.
“This should be a free, fair and transparent election. Anybody capable of contesting any office has the right to present himself for service,” he said.
He further alleged that false information was circulated in some states claiming he had stepped down from the contest. At the same time, party members in other areas were allegedly denied the opportunity to vote.
“For example, in Kaduna State, party faithful were told that consensus had been reached and that Mohammed Hayatu-Deen had stepped down. In Zaria, where I have many supporters, the election had not taken place as of 5 pm.
“People were denied their rights. This act is criminal and fraudulent,” he stated.
