Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress following the conclusion of the party’s nationwide presidential primary election.
Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket after polling 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 504,117 votes.
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner, Atiku expressed gratitude to party members and stakeholders for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the ADC into the 2027 presidential election.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation for the privilege which you have bestowed on me of leading our great party, the African Democratic Congress, into the next elections as its presidential candidate. I am truly humbled and excited by this singular honour,” he stated.
The former Vice President described the ADC as a platform where democratic principles remain alive, stressing that the party allowed members to freely contest and express their ambitions through what he called a transparent process.
According to him, the coalition behind the ADC was built through sacrifices and compromises aimed at protecting Nigeria’s democracy, which he said was facing serious threats.
Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress administration of undermining opposition parties and engineering political crises within rival political groups.
He alleged that opposition politicians were being harassed and intimidated through the use of security agencies and anti-corruption institutions.
The ADC presidential candidate also referenced the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the situation as politically motivated.
According to Atiku, democracy in Nigeria was under pressure due to what he termed attempts to silence dissenting voices and weaken opposition structures.
He warned against any alleged attempt by the Presidency, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary to interfere in the affairs of the ADC.
Atiku further urged members of the party to remain united ahead of the general elections, insisting that the primary contest produced no losers within the party.
“This is not the time to celebrate. No one was defeated because we are one party, and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” he said.
He added that the focus must now shift toward campaigning and mobilising Nigerians to support the ADC’s mission of addressing economic hardship, insecurity and political instability in the country.
The former Vice President also commended the party’s primary election committee, stakeholders, volunteers and supporters for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent process.
He concluded by urging party members to prepare for what he called the “real hard work” of winning the 2027 general elections and rebuilding the country.
