Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections after recording a commanding victory in the party’s primary election.
Atiku defeated former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in a keenly watched contest that concluded on Wednesday night in Abuja.
The outcome of the primary was officially announced through a statement published on the ADC’s official X account.
According to the results released by the party, Atiku polled 1,855,787 votes to secure the party’s ticket, while Amaechi came second with 509,397 votes. Hayatu-Deen finished third with 180,903 votes.
The party disclosed that a total of 2,546,457 votes were cast from a total membership strength of 3,113,599 eligible voters.
“Atiku defeats Amaechi, Hayatudeen to secure ADC Presidential Ticket,” the statement read. “Final result: Atiku 1,855,787, Amaechi 509,397, Hayatudeen 180,903. Total votes cast in the election: 2,546,457. Total party membership for the election: 3,113,599. Congratulations to Waziri Atiku.”
The final figures showed Atiku maintaining a wide lead throughout the contest, defeating Amaechi by over 1.3 million votes and Hayatu-Deen by more than 1.6 million votes.
Speaking shortly after his victory at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Atiku described his emergence as a victory for democracy and called on members of the coalition and defeated aspirants to unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he said.
The former Vice President accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly fueling crises within opposition parties through the involvement of security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and elements within the judiciary.
“As I speak, virtually all opposition political parties in the country have leadership crises engineered by the APC government, the INEC and elements in the judiciary,” he alleged.
Atiku also condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as part of what he called a broader crackdown on opposition figures.
“All because he is a leading opposition figure. This kind of cruelty must stop,” he stated.
He further alleged that anti-corruption agencies were being used to pressure opposition politicians into defecting to the ruling party.
“Under this government, once a person joins the APC, the harassment ceases and the charges against them magically disappear,” he claimed.
The ADC flagbearer warned against what he described as continued interference in the affairs of the opposition coalition, insisting that any attempt to undermine the party would be resisted.
“Enough is enough,” Atiku declared.
Despite the tension surrounding the primary election, Atiku appealed for unity within the party, insisting that no aspirant should be viewed as defeated.
“This is not the time to celebrate. No one was defeated because we are one party and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” he said.
He specifically called on Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join forces with him ahead of the general election.
“In particular, I invite Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” he added.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Atiku accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to decisively tackle killings and attacks across the country, including attacks targeting security personnel.
“Every region of this country is gripped by insecurity, the worst kind in our history,” he said.
He pledged that an ADC-led government would strengthen the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies through improved welfare, recruitment, training, and modern equipment.
On the economy, Atiku argued that official economic growth figures do not reflect the hardship being experienced by ordinary Nigerians amid rising inflation and soaring living costs.
“The poverty gripping our people is at a level that we have never seen in our history,” he stated.
He criticised the Federal Government’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and rising public debt, alleging that borrowed funds were being mismanaged through contracts awarded without due process.
“The future of our younger generation is being mortgaged with no accountability,” he said.
The former Vice President also promised free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels, noting that millions of children remain out of school.
“This cannot be tolerated in the modern world where education is the surest path to decent employment, wealth creation, national development and enlightened citizenry,” he stated.
On healthcare, Atiku accused the Federal Government of neglecting the sector and promised increased investment in primary healthcare and specialist medical facilities nationwide.
Drawing a comparison with the APC’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, Atiku declared that the ADC would offer “renewed action” aimed at rebuilding the economy and restoring public confidence in governance.
“Where the APC government offers meaningless renewed hope, we will provide renewed action to repair the damage that they have done to our economy and society in the last twelve years of misrule,” he said.
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