The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been thrown into a severe post-primary crisis after two frontline presidential hopefuls—former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and renowned economist/businessman, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen—outrightly rejected the ongoing compilation of results, labeling the entire process a fraudulent sham.
The high-stakes political drama, unfolding on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, comes as early returns from the party’s national collation center at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja show former Vice President Atiku Abubakar opening a massive, seemingly unassailable lead across a vast majority of the states.
The shadow election, conducted across 8,809 electoral wards nationwide using the direct primary model, followed the collapse of initial consensus talks among the three heavyweights. While Atiku has successfully swept heavy numbers in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Kebbi, and Anambra, his challengers insist the figures are “concocted” fabrications that do not reflect the will of card-carrying party members.
Amaechi Decries Mass Disenfranchisement
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, a furious Rotimi Amaechi lambasted the party’s leadership for failing to deliver the transparent and fair process they had promised the Nigerian electorate. The former Rivers State governor claimed that an estimated 80% of registered ADC members were completely blocked from casting their ballots.
Amaechi made it clear that he would only honor the outcome of an untainted democratic process, warning that the ADC risks losing its moral standing if it copies the electoral malpractices of the ruling class.
“Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced. I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing.”
Hayatu-Deen Boycotts Collation Over Rigging
In a parallel move that further fractured the exercise, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen announced a total boycott of the official results declaration. The prominent economist revealed that he witnessed glaring irregularities firsthand and would be seeking legal and political counsel on his next line of action.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
Early Primary Tallies Across Key States
Despite the fierce pushback from his rivals, the election committee chaired by Chief Ikechi Emenike has continued to roll out state results, highlighting Atiku’s dominant margins:
| State | Atiku Abubakar | Rotimi Amaechi | Mohammed Hayatu-Deen |
| Gombe | 139,334 | 1,150 | 465 |
| Sokoto | 68,824 | 292 | 319 |
| Kebbi | 65,523 | 5,931 | 454 |
| Zamfara | 60,500 | 191 | 446 |
| Anambra | 58,566 | 17,085 | 7,861 |
| Yobe | 44,841 | 300 | 365 |
| Bayelsa | 6,570 | 44,404 (Won) | 939 |
(Note: While Atiku dominates the national map, Amaechi secured a landslide consolation victory in Bayelsa State, polling over 44,000 votes).
Compounding the party’s woes, a parallel faction aligned with Dumebi Kachikwu reportedly held a separate convention in Abuja, purportedly dissolving the David Mark-led structure recognized by INEC. Reacting to the unfolding chaos, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged calm, stating that the party is reviewing all formal complaints but has not yet gathered sufficient evidence to halt the national collation.
With Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen digging into defensive positions and Atiku cruising toward the ticket, the ADC is now locked in a high-octane legal and political civil war that heavily threatens its cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
