Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar established an early lead in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary as results from several states began to emerge on Monday night.

Atiku secured victories in Yobe and Zamfara states and was also leading in Adamawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Edo, Enugu and Nasarawa as collation continued across the country.

In Zamfara, the Chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Muhammad Musa, announced that Atiku polled 60,500 votes. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi received 191 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen secured 446 votes.

Musa said the election was conducted across 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas, with 61,137 party members participating out of 63,404 registered voters.

He added that the process complied with party guidelines and that the final outcome reflected results collated from across the state.

In Yobe State, Atiku also emerged victorious after polling 44,841 votes in the exercise conducted across 178 wards in 17 local government areas.

The Chairperson of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer in the state, Hajiya Ma’am Kyari, said Amaechi scored 300 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 365 votes.

Kyari described the process as peaceful and orderly, noting that the primary followed democratic procedures outlined by the party.

In Ondo State, results from the 203 wards were still being collated as of Monday night.

ADC State Secretary Olakunle Adeloye said voting started early across the state, with members gathering at designated ward collation centres.

Speaking after casting his vote at Ajiya Ward in Yola, Adamawa State, Atiku described the primary as “democracy at work.”

He said the exercise was being held simultaneously across 8,809 wards nationwide and described it as part of the party’s efforts to reposition the country.

Atiku also downplayed concerns over internal disagreements within the ADC, saying such issues were not unusual in political parties and would not affect the party’s chances in future elections.

The former vice president had earlier received the endorsement of the Adamawa chapter of the party ahead of the primary.

Amaechi, who voted in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, described the exercise in his ward as free, fair and transparent.

He urged party members to support candidates based on competence and merit.

Meanwhile, the ADC leadership led by former Senate President David Mark rejected the emergence of Dumebi Kachikwu as presidential candidate following a separate convention held in Abuja.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the faction that produced Kachikwu was not recognised by the party or the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the David Mark-led National Working Committee remains the only recognised leadership structure within the party.

Abdullahi also stated that INEC officials were monitoring the party’s primaries across the country, including governorship contests.

In Sokoto State, party stakeholders adopted Atiku as a consensus candidate ahead of the primary.

Mukhtar Umar Magori, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said the decision followed consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

Kaduna State stakeholders also endorsed Atiku during a meeting attended by party executives, governorship aspirants and local government chairmen.

Among those present were Isa Ashiru, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello Mainan Zazzau and former House of Representatives member Sani Sha’aban.

Prof. Bello described Atiku as the opposition figure best positioned to challenge the ruling party in the next election, citing his experience and political reach.

Results from wards in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts also showed Atiku maintaining a strong lead as collation continued.