Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), winning a landslide victory with 1,846,379 votes. He defeated former Transport Minister Chibuike Amaechi, who garnered 540,117 votes, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who came third with 177,120 votes. The announcement was made by returning officer Tunde Ogbeha, who confirmed Atiku met all constitutional requirements. National Chairman David Mark officially handed over the party flag, cementing Atiku as the ADC’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
This development sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch of the 2023 election, with Atiku poised to face incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his former running mate, Peter Obi, now representing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). While other candidates may emerge, the 2027 race is shaping up to be another intense three-way contest.
In his acceptance speech, Atiku thanked party members for their trust, emphasizing that democracy remains alive within the ADC despite what he called the ruling party’s oppressive tactics. He warned the presidency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the judiciary against further interference in party affairs, citing alleged harassment of opposition figures like former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, whom he said has been detained for three months despite court orders for bail.
Atiku outlined a bold agenda focusing on security, education, healthcare, and economic revival. He criticized the APC government for failing to address insecurity, with over 20 million children out of school and rampant poverty. He promised free compulsory education, massive investments in primary healthcare, and a crackdown on corruption and nepotism. “Where the APC offers meaningless renewed hope, we will provide renewed action,” he declared.
He called on Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to unite behind him, stressing the urgency of rescuing Nigeria from what he termed twelve years of misrule. The ADC is now gearing up for a nationwide campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
