ADC to announce presidential candidate today as 3.4m members vote

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it will, on Tuesday, begin the collation of results from its presidential primaries conducted nationwide on Monday, with the party expected to announce its presidential candidate thereafter. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen are contesting the party’s presidential ticket. ADC […]

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it will, on Tuesday, begin the collation of results from its presidential primaries conducted nationwide on Monday, with the party expected to announce its presidential candidate thereafter.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen are contesting the party’s presidential ticket.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said as of the close of voting, none of the three aspirants could confidently predict victory until final results are collated and announced.

Abdullahi, who was flanked by members of the ADC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, said the party has a verified membership register of 3,444,000 members, who constitute the electorate for the primary election ahead of the 2027 general election.

He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of inflating its membership figures, alleging that it was part of efforts to manipulate public perception ahead of the 2027 polls.

“What the APC is doing is amusing and laughable. What they are doing is to set the stage for the rigging of the 2027 election by claiming that they have 11 million members, whatever members,” Abdullahi said.

“They should produce a verifiable membership registration submitted to INEC if they indeed claim that they have 20 million members. They don’t have 20 million members; it is all lies.”

He added that the ADC is proud of its internal democratic process, which he said contrasts with practices in other political parties.

Responding to questions on a rival faction said to have conducted parallel congresses and produced a presidential candidate, Abdullahi dismissed the group as insignificant, insisting that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute in favour of the camp led by former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Also speaking, Chief Ikechi Emenike, Chairman of the Presidential Primaries Election Committee, assured aspirants and party members of a free, fair, transparent and credible exercise, saying it would strengthen internal democracy within the party and deepen democratic culture in Nigeria.

He said the ADC remains committed to building a nation anchored on justice, equity, competence, accountability, inclusivity and the will of the people.

“As this historic process unfolds, we call on all members of the party to conduct themselves peacefully, responsibly, and in the spirit of sportsmanship, unity and patriotism. Nigeria is bigger than each one of us. Nigeria deserves a democratic example, and the ADC is proud to lead that example,” he said.

 

Atiku wins in Sokoto, Zamfara

Meanwhile, Atiku has won the ADC presidential primary held in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as results from both states confirmed a dominant lead over his rivals.

In Sokoto State, the result was announced on Monday by the state chief returning officer, Prof. Aminu Abubakar, who said the exercise was peaceful across the 23 local government areas.

Atiku polled 68,823 votes out of 69,434 total votes cast to emerge the winner of the state exercise. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi scored 292 votes, while economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen got 319 votes.

Prof. Abubakar declared Atiku the winner, saying he had the highest number of valid votes cast in the state.

The announcement was made in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives and party stakeholders, including former Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, ADC governorship candidate Mannir Dan Iya, senatorial candidate Faruk Malami Yabo, and the state party chairman, Abdullahi Maigwandu, among others.

The party in Sokoto had earlier, on Sunday, reportedly endorsed Atiku as its sole candidate ahead of the primary.

In Zamfara State, the ADC presidential primary election committee chairman and returning officer, Engr. Muhammad Musa announced similar results at the state collation centre.

He said the election was conducted across 147 wards in all local government areas of the state, with 63,404 registered ADC members and a total of 61,137 votes cast.

According to the result, Atiku secured 60,500 votes, while Amaechi polled 191 votes and Hayatu-Deen scored 446 votes.

Musa said the exercise followed party guidelines and commended members for their peaceful conduct, urging unity ahead of the general election.

He officially declared Atiku the winner of the Zamfara primary with a wide margin.

 

Low turnout in Taraba

In Taraba, the exercise was held peacefully, although there was a low turnout in some locations where voting took place.

However, the results of the election were not announced as officials conducting the exercise said they were not authorised to declare outcomes at the state level.

They explained that the official announcement would be made at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The Returning Officer for the ADC presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly primaries in Taraba State, Kupchi Hosea Maxwell, said he was not permitted to declare the presidential result in the state.

He reiterated that all collation processes would be transmitted to the national headquarters for final announcement in line with party procedures.

 

Collation ongoing in Ondo

The Secretary of ADC in Ondo State, Olakunle Adeloye, has described the party’s presidential primary election in the state as peaceful, transparent, and highly credible.

He said collation of results was ongoing across the 18 local government areas of the state, adding that it was too early to determine who would emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

“We are in the process of collation, so I cannot say specifically who will likely emerge or not because I’m not a soothsayer,” he said.

 

Cross River endorses Atiku

Nine candidates of ADC in Cross River State have endorsed Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for next year’s general election.

The endorsement was contained in a statement issued on Monday evening in Calabar, where the candidates said the decision followed wide consultations and a conclusion that Atiku possesses the required leadership experience.

The nine candidates who signed the endorsement include Barrister Wilfred Usani, Professor Joe Edet, Amb Nkoyo Toyo, Dr Inyang Unoh, Mr Johnson Okolie, Prince Pulinus Mbey, Ms Offiong Nsefik, and Chief Emmanuel Etenne.

Part of the statement read: “We, the duly nominated candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, after extensive consultations with our supporters, stakeholders, and grassroots structures across the state, hereby unanimously endorse the candidacy of H.E. Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the ADC at this critical moment in our nation’s history.”

The candidates said the endorsement aligned with the party’s manifesto and ideals, stressing the need for accountable governance, justice, prosperity, and national renewal.

Yobe stakeholders endorse Atiku

ADC stakeholders in Yobe State also endorsed the former vice president as the party’s preferred presidential candidate.

The endorsement was contained in a statement issued in Damaturu, the state capital, following what the stakeholders described as statewide consultations ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

The statement was jointly signed by the Yobe State ADC leader, Adamu Maina Waziri; the state chairman of the party, Umar Kalli; and the party’s governorship candidate, Kassim Gana Gaidam.

The stakeholders said they reached the decision after reviewing the credentials, national acceptability, and political strength of all aspirants, and unanimously resolved to support Atiku’s aspiration.

According to them, the endorsement was based on Atiku’s “proven track record of public service,” national spread, and extensive experience in governance and economic management.

They added that the former vice president has demonstrated commitment to national development through decades of service in both public and private sectors.

The group further stated that Atiku enjoys support across the six geopolitical zones, describing him as “the most unifying and electable candidate” capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027.

They urged ADC members nationwide to rally behind his candidacy, insisting that the party needed a competent and widely accepted candidate to defeat the incumbent administration.

 

By Baba Martins (Abuja), Salim Ashir Mahuta (Sokoto), Magaji lsa Hunkuyi (Jalingo), Promise Adagba (Akure), Eyo Charles (Calabar), Habibu Idris Gimba (Damaturu) & Abdullahi Abdulrahaman Chakwa (Gusau)