The presidential primary election of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been thrown into crisis as two frontline aspirants, former Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and prominent economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, rejected the ongoing collation and official declaration of results, citing widespread irregularities.
In a statement on Tuesday, Amaechi rejected what he described as concocted results, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement across most parts of the country.
He maintained that his initial commitment to accept the primary’s outcome was contingent on a free, fair, and transparent process, which he argued the current exercise failed to meet.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” Amaechi stated.
He cautioned the ADC against emulating the same electoral malpractices, such as vote-buying and result-writing, for which it has frequently criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Similalry, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen boycotted the official announcement of the primary election results, similarly alleging widespread vote rigging.
Hayatu-Deen claimed to have personally witnessed some of the irregularities during the voting process. Expressing deep concern over the overall integrity of the exercise, the economist-turned-politician disclosed that he has commenced consultations with his team and legal advisers to determine his next line of action.
The protests by both leading contenders have cast a long shadow over the internal democratic process of the ADC as the party positions itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.