Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election. The result was announced on Wednesday night at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, declaring that Atiku defeated the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and a former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, in the primary election. Following the official declaration, the leadership of the party, led by Senator David Mark, presented the party flag to Atiku. The official results showed that Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi secured 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes. Out of a total party membership of 3,113,599 registered for the election, 2,546,457 total votes were cast. A further breakdown of the results showed that Atiku defeated Amaechi by 1,342,253 votes and clear ahead of Hayatu-Deen by 1,669,250 votes, while Amaechi led Hayatu-Deen by 327,003 votes.
The African Democratic Congress started its presidential primary process on Monday, May 25, 2026, with party members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory participating in the exercise. The political party chose the direct primary method after all the three aspirants refused multiple calls to step down for a consensus candidate. Although an affirmation process was initially considered by party stakeholders, the direct primary method was eventually adopted to fully comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Prior to the official announcement of the final results, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome of the primary election, alleging that the voting process had been manipulated, with Hayatu-Deen stating that he would not attend the event for the announcement of the result.
Speaking after his declaration as the winner, Atiku called on aggrieved aspirants and party members to come together, stressing that party unity was absolutely necessary after the conclusion of the contest. He said, “I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” He also specifically extended an invitation to his fellow contestants to join him in a broader national struggle, stating, “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 emphasized that the outcome of the primary should not divide the political platform, noting that internal competition should not produce winners and losers. He noted, “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 pledged to work closely with other aspirants and stakeholders to strengthen the party structures ahead of the general election, adding, “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,”
The presidential candidate had earlier expressed his deep appreciation to party leaders, delegates, and members, stating that he was truly humbled and excited to lead the party into the next elections. He stated that the political party had successfully demonstrated internal democracy despite the various challenges facing opposition politics in the country. He noted, “we constructed that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party… democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku also alleged that there was wider political pressure on opposition figures through harassment and intimidation, and warned against external interference in party affairs. He further urged unity within the party, stressing that the primaries should not be seen as a divisive exercise, stating, “No one was defeated. No one. We are one party, and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” He added that the party must now focus on winning the general election and addressing national challenges, noting, “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,”
Atiku also outlined key priorities for the party ahead of the general election, including security, education, healthcare, and economic reform. He pledged to strengthen security agencies, expand educational access, and address the ongoing economic hardship. The candidate stated that the party would prioritise education, noting that millions of school-age children were currently out of school, and promised free and compulsory basic education if elected into office. On the economy, he criticised current conditions, stating that poverty had deepened and that borrowing and subsidy policies had worsened hardship for citizens. He also pledged investment in healthcare, including stronger primary healthcare systems and improved medical facilities to reduce medical tourism across the country. Atiku stated that the party would present a renewed action ahead of the general election, stressing that the real work would begin after the primaries.
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