The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been plunged into internal turmoil following the conclusion of Presidential primaries held on Monday.
As leading aspirant and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, formally rejected the “concocted” results declaring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the winner.
The primaries, conducted on Monday, May 25, 2026, utilized the direct “Option A4” voting system across the country’s 8,809 wards.
While official graphics released by the ADC Media Organization show landslide victory for Atiku Abubakar, the process has been marred by allegations of the widespread disenfranchisement, vote- buying, and result-writing.
The Contested Results
According to the official results declared for 21 states, Atiku Abubakar secured a commanding lead with over 1.1 million votes, while Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen trailed significantly.
Amaechi’s Defiant Stance
In a strongly-worded statement, Amaechi unequivocally rejected the outcome, claiming that the process was a far cry from the “free, fair, and transparent” exercise he was promised.
He alleged that as many as 80% of party members prevented from exercising their franchise. “I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold,” Amaechi stated.
He added, “A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying and rigging cannot be engaged in the same electoral malpractices. This is not acceptable!
Amaechi further emphasized that the ADC was supposed to be a platform to “amplify the voices of the downtrodden,” but current process, in his view, mirrors impunity and gross mismanagement of the ruling party.
A Unified Front of Rejection
While the former Minister is not alone in his dissent. Fellow aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, also boycotted the official announcement.
Hayatu-Deen cited “large-scale vote rigging” and “compromised procedures,” stating he would be taking legal advice on his next steps.
Reports from various states suggest that the direct primary system, intended to ensure grassroots participation, was instead exploited by political actors to manipulate tallies before they reached the national collation center.ADC Leadership Response
Despite the mounting pressure, the ADC leadership has maintained the credibility of the exercise.
The Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed allegations of rigging, stating that the party had not seen evidence to support such claims.
However, the visual of two major aspirants rejecting the outcome creates a significant legitimacy crisis for Atiku
Abubakar’s candidacy.Implications for 2027
The fallout from the African Democratic Congress primaries is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the 2027 general elections.
As the opposition seeks to build a formidable coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), internal fractures within a key alternative party like the ADC could weaken the movement’s overall momentum.
Observers suggest that if the ADC fails to address these grievances internally, it may face a wave of litigations or a mass exodus of members, potentially derailing its mission to provide a “third way” for the Nigerian electorate.
