Seek redress over presidential primary if you need to, ADC tells Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has advised presidential aspirants Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to pursue any grievances through established party structures and electoral mechanisms, rather than resorting to public accusations. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that claims of the ADC's presidential primary being rigged in favor of Atiku Abubakar lack supporting evidence.

Abdullahi clarified during a Channels Television interview that with results still undergoing collation across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, there is currently insufficient basis to validate or dismiss the allegations made by some aspirants. The ADC conducted a nationwide direct primary on Monday to select its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Early figures suggest Atiku Abubakar is leading, followed by Rotimi Amaechi and then Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen have reportedly rejected the preliminary outcomes, citing irregularities and manipulation. However, Abdullahi emphasized that the ongoing collation process has not yet revealed any clear patterns substantiating these claims.

"On the concerns raised by the Presidential aspirants, who alleged that the process was rigged and marred by irregularities, we currently do not have sufficient evidence to either support or dismiss those claims," Abdullahi said. "Since the results are still being collated, we have not observed any clear pattern that would substantiate such allegations." He added that established procedures exist within the party and the electoral system for addressing such complaints.

The party noted that results from 11 states have been received, with others still pending. The official collation process was expected to commence later that evening. The ADC also addressed a faction led by Kingsley Ogga that announced Dumebi Kachikwu as its presidential candidate, stating the main faction led by David Mark remains unfazed.

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On the concerns raised by the Presidential aspirants, who alleged that the process was rigged and marred by irregularities, we currently do not have sufficient evidence to either support or dismiss those claims. Since the results are still being collated, we have not observed any clear pattern that would substantiate such allegations.