Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress after winning the party’s nationwide direct primary election conducted across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku defeated two major contenders — former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and banker-politician Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — in the keenly contested primary.
According to results announced by the party, Atiku secured over 1.8 million votes nationwide, while Amaechi polled more than 500,000 votes and Hayatu-Deen came third with about 180,000 votes.
The ADC adopted the direct primary system and Option A4 voting method, allowing registered party members to vote openly in their wards. The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku recorded dominant victories in several states including Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto and Anambra, where he defeated his rivals by wide margins.
The emergence of Atiku as ADC flag bearer followed months of opposition coalition talks aimed at building a stronger platform against the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Atiku had earlier dumped the PDP and joined the ADC coalition movement alongside several opposition figures.
Political analysts believe Atiku’s victory further positions the ADC as a major opposition force going into the 2027 elections, especially with the involvement of high-profile politicians within the coalition.