The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and businessman, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, to channel their grievances over the party’s presidential primary through established party structures and statutory electoral processes.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the party said the aspirants should avoid making public allegations while the collation of results from the nationwide direct primary was still ongoing.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Abdullahi said there was currently no evidence to support claims that the presidential primary was rigged in favour of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.
He noted that since collation had not been concluded, it was too early to confirm or dismiss the allegations raised by some aspirants.
Abdullahi stated, “We currently do not have sufficient evidence to either support or dismiss those claims. Since the results are still being collated, we have not observed any clear pattern that would substantiate such allegations.
“At this stage, we do not have enough information to conclusively say whether the allegations are true or false. We expect to have a clearer picture by the end of the day.”
The ADC conducted a nationwide direct primary on Monday to select its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Although the party had yet to officially announce final results from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (ADC) as of press time, early figures showed Atiku leading.
Amaechi was in second position, while Hayatu-Deen was in third place.
Abdullahi said the ADC had established internal and statutory mechanisms to address complaints arising from the exercise.
He urged aggrieved aspirants to use the available channels to seek redress.
ADC Dismisses Factional Claims
The ADC spokesman also reacted to reports of a parallel faction within the party, saying the leadership was not disturbed.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognises the current National Working Committee as the legitimate body conducting the party’s congresses and primaries.
“The party leadership is not disturbed by the claims. INEC is fully aware of who is conducting the legitimate convention of the African Democratic Congress, and under the law, the genuine organisers are clearly recognised,” he said.
Abdullahi said INEC officials had monitored all stages of the ADC’s electoral processes.
“INEC has attended and monitored all our congresses and primary elections across the 36 states and the FCT. Every stage of the process has been fully documented by INEC officials,” he said.
He expressed confidence that electoral officials would continue to be present at the collation centre, adding that the party had no concerns about legitimacy or oversight.