ABUJA, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress on Monday, May 25, 2026 dismissed as illegal the convention that produced Dumebi Kachikwu as a presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Okay News reports that the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the exercise did not follow due process and lacked the backing of the party’s recognised leadership.
Bolaji Abdullahi maintained that the only leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission is the one led by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. Bolaji Abdullahi said that the party currently has 3,444,000 registered members submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Bolaji Abdullahi also criticised the All Progressives Congress, alleging that the ruling party inflated its membership figures to rig the 2027 election. He challenged the All Progressives Congress to produce a verifiable membership register.
The African Democratic Congress is currently conducting its presidential primary featuring three aspirants, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. The party expects to announce the winner on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Primaries Election Committee, Ikechi Emenike, stated that the committee is overseeing the nationwide voting process. National Organising Secretary Chinedu Idigo confirmed that the party notified the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the exercise.
