A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has rejected the credibility of the party’s presidential primary process, alleging widespread vote rigging across the country.
Key Highlights:
- Mohammed Hayatu-Deen rejected the ADC primary results, alleging vote rigging.
- He boycotted the result announcement over claims of irregularities.
- The African Democratic Congress held nationwide direct primaries.
- Atiku Abubakar reportedly led in several states, while Rotimi Amaechi won in Bayelsa.
- The dispute adds controversy to the ADC’s 2027 presidential race.
Hayatu-Deen announced on Tuesday that he would boycott the official announcement of the ADC presidential primary results, citing what he described as serious irregularities during the exercise.
In a statement posted on his X handle, the former chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group said reports reaching him from different parts of the country indicated that the process had been manipulated.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today,” Hayatu-Deen stated.
“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.”
The ADC conducted direct presidential primaries across wards nationwide on Monday, with the party claiming that more than three million members were eligible to participate in the exercise.
The contest featured three leading aspirants — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen.
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- Amaechi defeats Atiku, Hayatuddeen in Ebonyi with 6,050 votes
- Cross River ADC candidates endorse Atiku as sole presidential candidate
- Atiku, Amaechi cast votes in ADC presidential primary
Early results emerging from several states reportedly showed Atiku establishing strong leads in Sokoto, Yobe, Gombe, Imo and Abia states, fuelling speculation that the former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate was on course to secure the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Amaechi was also reported to have won the primary in Bayelsa State.
Hayatu-Deen’s rejection of the process introduces fresh controversy into the opposition party’s primary election at a time the ADC is positioning itself as a major coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
