RismadarVoice Reporters, May 26, 2026
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after recording victories in five states as delegates vote to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
The primary election, which has drawn national attention ahead of the next electoral cycle, is being contested by Atiku, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Although the party leadership is yet to officially announce final results from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, early figures from several states showed Atiku maintaining a commanding lead.
The former vice president reportedly secured victories in Gombe State, Abia State, Ebonyi State, Sokoto State and Zamfara State.
In Gombe State, results announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. David Agbu, showed Atiku polling 139,334 votes, while Amaechi secured 1,150 votes and Hayatu-Deen got 464 votes.
In Abia State, Atiku recorded 25,153 votes ahead of Amaechi’s 18,339 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 3,264 votes.
The former vice president also dominated the exercise in Ebonyi State, where results announced by the ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, showed that he secured 15,300 votes. Amaechi polled 2,200 votes, while Hayatu-Deen received 200 votes.
In Sokoto State, Atiku polled 68,823 votes to defeat Amaechi, who secured 292 votes, while Hayatu-Deen scored 319 votes.
A similar outcome was recorded in Zamfara State, where Atiku obtained 60,500 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 436 votes and Amaechi secured 191 votes.
The ongoing primary election is being closely watched as opposition parties intensify political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku, who contested the presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 and 2023 elections, remains one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, entered the race on promises of institutional reforms and stronger internal democracy within the party.
Hayatu-Deen, on his part, campaigned on economic restructuring and private sector-driven growth.
Political observers believe the ADC primary could significantly influence coalition negotiations among opposition groups seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Party officials are expected to announce the final collated results later in the day after receiving outcomes from the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory.
