The Presidential Screening Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has screened three presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that those screened at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; economist and former banker, Muhammed Hayatu-Deen; and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The three aspirants are expected to contest for the party’s presidential ticket on May 25.
It was gathered that party leaders had intensified consultations with the aspirants to reach a consensus and avoid the logistics and costs of conducting direct primaries.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in an interview with Daily Trust, said the party had yet to decide on the mode of primary to adopt.
“Not yet,” Abdullahi said.
A party source, however, said consultations were ongoing among party leaders and the aspirants to ensure a smooth resolution.
“The party leaders are speaking among themselves. They are also engaging the presidential aspirants. The leadership wants the issue resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“But if the aspirants fail to come to a compromise, the party will have no option but to go for direct primary,” the source said.
The source added that the party remained committed to ensuring that the consensus arrangement succeeded.
I’m Not Running To Be VP – Amaechi
Speaking with journalists after his screening, Amaechi said he would accept a consensus arrangement if the process was transparent and involved all aspirants.
“I’m a member of the party. So, if that is the party’s decision, and it is a process all of us participate in, then why not?” he said.
The former Rivers governor also said he did not purchase the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to become anybody’s running mate.
Amaechi said his performance as governor would form part of his campaign credentials.
He partly blamed rising insecurity on systemic failures and widespread youth unemployment, promising to tackle the challenges if elected.
Nigeria Needs Solutions-Driven Leadership – Hayatu-Deen
Also speaking after the exercise, Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence in the ADC, describing it as a credible platform capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group said Nigeria could no longer afford politics without direction at a time citizens were battling hardship, insecurity and unemployment.
He said his campaign would focus on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, including the rising cost of living, insecurity, job creation and restoring economic confidence.
“We cannot continue to normalise poverty, fear and hopelessness as the national condition.
“This election must be about the future of Nigerian families, whether people can afford food, whether young people can find jobs, whether farmers can safely return to their farms, and whether businesses can survive and grow again,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen said the ADC offered an opportunity to build a broad national coalition anchored on competence, unity and economic renewal.
Atiku Unveils Economic, Security Plans
Efforts to speak with Atiku after the screening were unsuccessful.
However, in a statement issued afterwards, the former Vice-President unveiled what he described as an economic rescue blueprint and security action plan for a nation “bleeding from economic distress and escalating insecurity.”
The statement, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the exercise was more than a routine party process.
According to the statement, Atiku used the screening to present a practical pathway for rescuing Nigeria from economic stagnation, mass unemployment, institutional decline and worsening insecurity.
It added that his economic plan would focus on job creation, private sector expansion, fiscal discipline, stable macroeconomic management and restoring Nigeria as a destination for investment and sustainable growth.
On security, Atiku expressed concern over killings and abductions across the country, saying no responsible government should watch citizens being killed in their communities or abducted on highways, farms and in their homes.
He said his security strategy would prioritise intelligence-driven operations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, decentralised security architecture and the political will to confront criminality decisively.
The Presidential Screening Committee is chaired by Liyel Imoke.
Other members include C.I.D. Maduabum, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode Ayorinde, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, David Salifu and Abubakar Ali Ciroma.