No fewer than 3,441,851 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) across Nigeria are expected to participate today in a nationwide direct primary to elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The primary election, which will be conducted across wards in the country’s 774 local government areas, will be supervised by a committee headed by former Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Three prominent aspirants are contesting for the opposition party’s ticket. They include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The trio had earlier been screened and cleared for the exercise by a panel chaired by former Liyel Imoke.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that the direct primary would take place simultaneously across more than 8,000 wards nationwide, with all registered party members eligible to vote.
“All registered members are eligible to participate, eligible to vote. As you know, it is all over the 8,000 wards across the country that the voting will take place. In the register that we submitted to INEC, the total number we have is 3,441,851,” Abdullahi stated.
Daily Sun gathered that the party leadership initially considered adopting a consensus arrangement but later abandoned the idea after the three aspirants reportedly refused to step down for one another. The party subsequently settled for the direct primary option in line with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits political parties to nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus.
A member of the ADC National Executive Committee disclosed that the consensus plan collapsed once it became clear that none of the aspirants was willing to withdraw from the race.
“We didn’t pursue that the moment the three persons said they were not willing to step down. It is only in ADC that we have three presidential aspirants. We want to show how democracy should be. All the other parties are doing coronation. ADC is setting a clear example,” the NEC member said.
Political observers believe the credibility and outcome of the primary will significantly influence the ADC’s chances in the 2027 general election, especially amid recent tensions within the party over the presidential contest.
Former ADC national chairman, Okey Nwosu, described the contest as one that would be fiercely competitive due to the quality of the aspirants.
“The primary is going to be keenly contested. But I know that the party leaders and members are seasoned enough to know who will bring them victory in the polls. This is like a general election. The leadership and membership know who can bring them victory in 2027 because that is our mission so that we can rescue this country,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a coalition of ADC stakeholders in the South-West has thrown its weight behind Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, describing him as the candidate best positioned to reposition Nigeria and address the country’s economic and governance challenges.
In a statement issued by Babajide Dosunmu, leader of the ADC South-West Professionals Forum, the group said Nigeria could no longer afford “experimental leadership, political theatrics, or recycled governance failures.”
The stakeholders argued that Hayatu-Deen’s experience in banking, economic management, public policy, and institutional leadership places him in a strong position to tackle unemployment, insecurity, economic hardship, and declining investor confidence.
“The South West has always stood for progressive politics, competence in governance, intellectual depth, and economic transformation. After extensive engagement and consultations, we are convinced that Mohammed Hayatu-Deen represents the kind of leadership Nigeria urgently requires at this critical moment,” the statement read.
The group further maintained that the decision before delegates and party members transcends personalities and would determine the future direction of both the ADC and Nigeria.
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