The result was formally announced on Wednesday night by the returning officer of the exercise, Tunde Ogbeha, who confirmed that the former Vice-President emerged ahead of two other major contenders: former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former banking executive Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
According to the official figures released by the party, Atiku recorded a commanding lead with 1,855,787 votes. Amaechi followed with 509,397 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 180,903 votes. The total number of votes cast in the exercise stood at 2,546,457, drawn from a registered party membership base of 3,113,599.
The margin between the winner and his closest rival underscored the scale of support within the party structure. Atiku finished with a lead of more than 1.3 million votes over Amaechi, while the gap between him and Hayatu-Deen exceeded 1.6 million votes.
The ADC, formally known as the African Democratic Congress, described the primary as a nationwide exercise that involved accredited members from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Voting was conducted under the direct primary system, allowing registered members of the party to participate directly in the selection of its presidential candidate.
The process officially began on Monday, May 25, 2026, and concluded with the collation and announcement of results on Wednesday evening. Party officials maintained that the procedure aligned with internal guidelines and existing electoral regulations governing party primaries in the country.
In a statement issued after the announcement, the party confirmed the final tally and congratulated its new flag bearer. The statement read in part: “Atiku defeats Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen to secure ADC Presidential Ticket. Final result: Atiku 1,855,787, Amaechi 509,397, Hayatu-Deen 180,903. Total votes cast in the election: 2,546,457. Total party membership for the election: 3,113,599. Congratulations to Waziri Atiku.”
Beyond the headline figures, the election was marked by internal debate within the ADC over the method of selecting its candidate. Some stakeholders had advocated for a consensus arrangement in order to avoid internal disputes and conserve party unity ahead of the general election. However, all three leading aspirants reportedly declined to step down for one another, which ultimately led the party to proceed with a full-scale primary.
Party leadership maintained that the direct primary system reflected a commitment to internal democracy and compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Officials argued that the process ensured wider participation and legitimacy, particularly as the party positions itself for a competitive general election.
Despite the formal outcome, the process was not without controversy. On Tuesday, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election. Their complaints included claims about procedural inconsistencies, although detailed evidence was not made public at the time of the announcement. Both men also reportedly stayed away from the official declaration of results.
The emergence of Atiku as the party’s candidate is expected to influence early political alignments ahead of 2027. Analysts anticipate that opposition dynamics will continue to shift as parties finalize their candidates and begin broader campaign preparations. The ADC, in particular, is expected to leverage its new candidate’s national profile in building coalitions and expanding its electoral reach.
Atiku’s nomination adds another chapter to his long political career, which has included multiple presidential contests and senior government roles. His selection by the ADC positions him once again at the center of national political competition, this time under a different party platform.
While the primary outcome appears decisive on paper, the internal reactions within the party are likely to shape its cohesion in the coming months. The scale of participation and the size of the vote margin suggest strong organizational backing, but the reported grievances from rival camps point to potential internal tensions that may require reconciliation efforts.
