Atiku polls 1.8m votes to clinch ADC presidential ticket, calls for unity with Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen

Atiku polls 1.8m votes to clinch ADC presidential ticket, calls for unity with Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election after defeating former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and ex-banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s primary election.

The result of the exercise was announced on Wednesday night at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where party officials confirmed Atiku as the winner of the contest.

According to the figures released by the party, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to beat Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes.

“Atiku 1,846,370, Amaechi 504,117, Hayatudeen 177,120. Total votes cast in the election: 2,546,457. Total party membership for the election: 3,113,599,” the result reads.

Following the announcement, the party leadership led by Senator David Mark formally presented the ADC flag to Atiku as the party’s standard bearer for the next presidential election.

A further breakdown of the result showed that Atiku defeated Amaechi with a margin of 1,342,253 votes and led Hayatu-Deen by 1,669,250 votes, while Amaechi maintained a 327,003-vote advantage over Hayatu-Deen.

The primary election process began on Monday, May 25, 2026, with party members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory taking part in the exercise.

The ADC eventually adopted the direct primary option after the three aspirants refused pressure from party stakeholders to step down for a consensus arrangement. The party had initially considered an affirmation process before settling for the direct method in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Addressing party members after emerging victorious, Atiku urged aggrieved members and supporters to unite for the task ahead.

“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said.

He also extended a direct invitation to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to work alongside him ahead of the general election.

“In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Anechi and Alhaji Muhammad Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” Atiku said.

The former vice president stressed that the primary election should not create divisions within the party.

“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership and I am ready to lead,” he said.

“I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and if Nigeria’s leaders demand it, govern with you to build a country that works for all of us,” he added.

Despite the outcome, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the result earlier, alleging irregularities and manipulation during the voting process. Hayatu-Deen also disclosed that he would not be present for the official declaration of the result.

Atiku, while thanking delegates, party leaders and members for the support given to him, described himself as “truly humbled and excited” by the confidence reposed in him.

He maintained that the ADC had shown commitment to democratic principles despite the political climate in the country.

“We constructed that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party… democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he said.

He also alleged that opposition politicians were facing intimidation and harassment, warning against interference in internal party affairs.

Calling again for unity among party faithful, Atiku insisted that the contest should not be viewed as one that produced enemies within the party.

“No one was defeated. No one. We are one party, and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” he said.

He said the party’s focus must now shift towards preparations for the 2027 general election and efforts to tackle the country’s challenges.

“We have to prepare and play hard to win the next general elections in order to begin the difficult process of rescuing our country and its long-suffering people,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate also outlined some of the party’s priorities, including security, education, healthcare and economic reforms.

Atiku promised that the party would strengthen security institutions, improve access to education and address the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.

On education, he lamented the rising number of out-of-school children and pledged to implement free and compulsory basic education if elected president.

He also criticised the country’s current economic situation, arguing that poverty had worsened due to existing borrowing and subsidy policies.

The former vice president further promised increased investment in healthcare through improved primary healthcare systems and better medical facilities aimed at reducing medical tourism.

According to him, the ADC would unveil what he described as “renewed action” ahead of the general election, adding that the real task for the party would begin after the primaries.