No fewer than 3,441,851 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) across the country will participate in a direct primary today to elect the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election.
The high-stakes exercise will see former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, vie for the ticket.
The primary is being overseen by a committee chaired by former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The three aspirants were cleared for the contest last week by a screening panel led by former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed yesterday that voting will take place in all wards across the 774 local government areas.
“All registered members are eligible to participate. Voting will occur across the 8,000 wards nationwide. According to the register submitted to INEC, we have a total of 3,441,851 members,” Abdullahi stated.
Investigations revealed that the party leadership initially considered a consensus arrangement but abandoned the idea after the three aspirants refused to step down. Consequently, the party opted for a direct primary in accordance with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits nomination via direct primaries or consensus.
A member of the ADC National Executive Committee (NEC) told *Daily Sun* that the collapse of consensus talks was a testament to the party’s internal democracy.
“We didn’t pursue consensus once it became clear no one would step down. ADC is setting an example of how democracy should work. While other parties are performing ‘coronations,’ we are holding a real contest,” the official said.
Political analysts suggest that the management of today’s primary will significantly impact the ADC’s viability in the 2027 polls. Former ADC National Chairman, Chief Okey Nwosu, described the contest as a “mini-general election.”
“The primary will be keenly contested because all the aspirants are eminently qualified. Our members are seasoned enough to choose the candidate who can lead us to victory and rescue the country,” Nwosu said.
### South West Stakeholders Back Hayatu-Deen
As voting begins, a group of ADC stakeholders in the South West has formally endorsed Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. In a statement by Babajide Dosunmu, leader of the ADC South-West Professionals Forum, the group described Hayatu-Deen as the most prepared candidate to navigate Nigeria’s economic crisis.
“Nigeria can no longer afford experimental leadership or recycled governance failures,” the statement read. “Hayatu-Deen’s background in banking and public policy gives him a unique advantage in addressing unemployment, insecurity, and declining investor confidence.”
The forum urged delegates to prioritize competence over personality, asserting that Hayatu-Deen represents the ADC’s strongest chance to provide a serious national alternative to the ruling party.
