Atiku Opens Early Lead in ADC Presidential Primary as Rivals Raise Concerns Over Process

Atiku Opens Early Lead in ADC Presidential Primary as Rivals Raise Concerns Over Process

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the ongoing presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress, following the announcement of results from several states across the country.

Atiku is contesting the party’s presidential ticket alongside former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Results released at the party’s national collation centre at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, showed Atiku opening a significant lead over his challengers in several states. Reports indicated that the former vice president had secured victories in multiple states as collation continued.

However, the exercise has also attracted controversy, with both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen raising concerns over the conduct of the primary election.

Hayatu-Deen announced that he would not attend the official declaration of results, citing reports of alleged irregularities and manipulation during the process.

Amaechi had earlier rejected some of the announced results, describing them as “concocted” and alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement, while maintaining that the party should uphold the principles of transparency and fairness.

Reacting to the allegations, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi stated that the party had not gathered sufficient evidence to either confirm or dismiss the claims, noting that the collation process was still ongoing.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were reported to be monitoring the primary process, while collation of results from additional states continued at the time of reporting.

Atiku Opens Early Lead in ADC Presidential Primary as Rivals Raise Concerns Over Process