Photo : Mohammed Hayatu-Deen
By: Daniel Kanu
Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has rejected the outcome of the party’s presidential primary election held on Monday, alleging widespread manipulation and electoral irregularities.
The primary election is expected to produce the ADC’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
Hayatu-Deen, in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, said the exercise was compromised by what he described as “widespread vote rigging” across several states, adding that he personally witnessed some of the alleged irregularities during the process.
According to early results released by party officials, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was leading in a number of states, including Gombe, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi was also said to be performing strongly, while Hayatu-Deen trailed behind the leading contenders.
Reacting to the development, Hayatu-Deen announced that he would boycott Tuesday’s official declaration of results scheduled to hold in Abuja.
“I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” he stated.
The development has heightened tension within the opposition party as stakeholders await the official announcement of the winner of the keenly contested primary.
Party officials have yet to respond formally to the allegations raised by Hayatu-Deen.
However, sources within the party leadership insist that the exercise was conducted in line with the ADC constitution and electoral guidelines.
Political observers say the dispute could trigger internal wrangling within the party ahead of the 2027 general election, especially as the ADC seeks to reposition itself as a major opposition platform capable of challenging the ruling establishment.
The party had in recent months intensified consultations and coalition talks with prominent political figures as part of efforts to strengthen its national appeal before the next election cycle.
