Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), launching a strong criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and accusing the government of worsening hardship, insecurity, and political repression in Nigeria.
The ADC presidential primary, held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, also served as a rallying point for opposition figures seeking to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku presenting the ADC as the platform to restore democracy and address the country’s economic and social challenges.
Speaking after his victory, Atiku pledged to lead what he described as a national recovery effort and called on aggrieved coalition members and defeated aspirants to unite behind the party ahead of the general election.
The former Vice President secured 1,846,370 votes out of the 2,527,977 votes cast, defeating former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who received 177,120 votes in the exercise conducted among the party’s registered members nationwide.
Atiku stated that the primary demonstrated that democracy remains alive within the ADC despite what he described as attempts by the ruling party to suppress opposition voices.
He accused the APC-led administration of fueling crises within opposition parties through the involvement of security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and elements within the judiciary.
The ADC flagbearer also condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as part of a wider crackdown on opposition figures.
According to Atiku, anti-corruption agencies are also being used to intimidate and pressure opposition politicians across the country.