The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been actively conducting its presidential primary elections across various states, setting the stage for the party’s candidate selection ahead of the 2027 general elections. The process has been marked by significant participation from key aspirants, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and businessman Muhammad Hayatuddeen, amidst a backdrop of internal party dynamics and rising political tension.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as a leading contender, securing significant victories in several states. In Sokoto State, Atiku Abubakar won the primary election conducted across all 23 local government areas, polling an overwhelming 68,823 votes. His closest rivals, Muhammad Hayatuddeen and Rotimi Amaechi, received 319 and 292 votes respectively. The result, announced by state chief returning officer Prof. Aminu Abubakar, was declared in the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security personnel, and prominent party stakeholders, including former Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Similarly, in Yobe State, Atiku Abubakar secured a dominant win with 44,841 votes. The Chairperson of the Electoral Committee and State Primary Election Returning Officer, Hajiya Ma’am Kyari, announced that Rotimi Chibuke Amechi scored 300 votes, and Mohamed Hayatudeen polled 365 votes. Kyari commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the exercise, attributing its success to the cooperation of party members, officials, and security agencies. The ADC governorship candidate in Yobe State, Kassim Geidam, also praised the process as peaceful and encouraging, noting the high level of participation.

Atiku Abubakar continued his winning streak in Zamfara State, where he garnered 60,500 votes. The Zamfara State ADC presidential primary election committee Chairman and Returning Officer, Engr. Muhammad Musa, reported that the election was held across 147 wards in all 14 local government areas. Of the 63,404 registered members, 61,137 votes were cast, with Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi receiving 191 votes and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen getting 446 votes. Musa emphasized that the process adhered to party guidelines and congratulated all participants.

While Atiku Abubakar demonstrated strong performance, Rotimi Amaechi also actively participated and voiced his views on the transparency of the primaries. After casting his vote at his Ward 8 in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Amaechi commended the exercise as free, fair, and transparent. He expressed satisfaction with the organization and credibility, promising an inclusive leadership style if he secures the ADC presidential candidacy. However, Amaechi issued a clear condition for accepting the results: he would only do so if the process was genuinely free and fair, otherwise, he stated, he would question it. He urged Nigerians to prioritize competence and character over ethnic or religious considerations in the upcoming elections.

The former Transportation Minister also openly challenged Atiku Abubakar’s political narrative, questioning his electability despite a history of winning party primaries. Amaechi stated, “I listened when they said former Vice President said he never failed primary before. I hope this will be the first time he will fail primary.” He further added, “But that’s not even the issue. The issue is that at all times that you have passed primary, you have not won election. So it’s about electability.” Amaechi questioned what new offerings Atiku could bring to Nigerians after multiple presidential bids.

Amidst these developments, a prominent member of the party, Abdul-Aziz Na'ibi Abubakar, announced that the winner of the 2026 presidential primary election would be declared on Tuesday, May 26. The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, affirmed the legitimacy of the ongoing exercise, describing it as the “only real primary election” currently taking place in Nigeria, highlighting the party’s commitment to internal democracy. Atiku Abubakar himself, after voting at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, echoed this sentiment, calling the process “democracy at work” and a crucial step in the nation’s recovery.

The contest underscores widening fissures within the ADC coalition, which has emerged as a significant platform for opposition figures aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections. Earlier reports indicated that the ADC had postponed its presidential screening exercise due to disagreements among stakeholders concerning alleged attempts to impose a consensus candidate, further illustrating the competitive nature of the party’s internal politics.