ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secured the presidential nomination of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Okay News reports that Senator David Mark officially presented the party flag to Abubakar after announcing the primary election results at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. The declaration confirmed Abubakar defeated Nigeria’s former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The result statement indicated Abubakar received 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi garnered 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes. The total votes cast in the election reached 2,546,457 out of a total party membership of 3,113,599.
The party commenced its direct primary process on Monday, May 25, 2026, involving members across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The direct method was adopted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 after the three aspirants declined calls for a consensus candidate.
Following the victory, Abubakar requested unity within the party. “I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said. “In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Anechi and Alhaji Muhammad Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” he said.
Both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the primary results prior to the declaration, citing manipulation of the voting process. Hayatu-Deen stated he would not attend the announcement of the result.
