Tension is rising within the African Democratic Congress as its ongoing presidential primary process becomes increasingly mired in controversy. What was expected to be a transparent nationwide exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections has now been overshadowed by serious allegations, particularly from the camp of former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who has strongly rejected the outcome of the party’s direct primary held in Imo State. His supporters have described the exercise as fraudulent and lacking any form of legitimacy.
The dispute adds a new layer of internal conflict to an already competitive race within the ADC, where high profile figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen are all vying for the party’s presidential ticket. The stakes are high, as the ADC positions itself as a major alternative force aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election cycle.
Disputed Outcome in Imo State
The controversy began after the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Imo State announced its results on Tuesday. The committee, led by Chairman Eko Atu, declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the clear winner of the state’s direct primary election.
According to the official figures released at the party secretariat in Owerri, Atiku Abubakar secured a total of 52,222 votes. His closest challenger in the state, Rotimi Amaechi, polled 7,659 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen received 1,121 votes.
Following the announcement, the committee maintained that the exercise was conducted in an atmosphere that was peaceful, orderly, and transparent. Officials insisted that the process reflected the will of party members in the state and met all necessary guidelines for a direct primary election.
However, this account has been firmly rejected by Amaechi’s supporters, who insist that what was presented as a democratic process was anything but free and fair.
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Allegations of Irregularities and Exclusion
Shortly after the results became public, representatives of Amaechi’s campaign structure in Imo State came forward with strong objections. Speaking in Owerri, Chigozie Alex, who serves as the Orlu Zonal Coordinator for the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Campaign Organization, accused the organizers of manipulating the entire process.
He claimed that in many parts of the state, no actual voting took place. According to him, registered party members who showed up at their polling locations were allegedly turned away because election materials and officials were not present. He described the process as poorly coordinated and deliberately structured to exclude legitimate voters.
Alex further alleged that what occurred in Imo State was not a genuine direct primary, but rather a carefully arranged selection process carried out in secrecy. He claimed that voting activities were moved to undisclosed locations where only selected individuals were allowed to participate.
He also raised concerns about the neutrality of officials overseeing the process. According to the Amaechi camp, some of the individuals acting as returning officers were allegedly local government chairmen and aspirants for state legislative positions. They argued that such individuals could not be considered impartial, especially in a tightly contested primary involving major political figures.
Call for Cancellation and Fresh Primary
In light of these allegations, Amaechi’s supporters are demanding immediate action from the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress. They are calling for the cancellation of the Imo State primary results and insisting that a fresh election be conducted under stricter supervision and more transparent conditions.
They argue that without such corrective measures, the credibility of the entire primary process could be undermined. According to them, allowing the results to stand would send a troubling message about internal democracy within the party, especially at a time when the ADC is trying to position itself as a credible alternative in national politics.
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A Broader Contest Across States
Despite the dispute in Imo State, the ADC presidential primary continues to unfold across other parts of the country, revealing a deeply competitive and regionally divided contest among the leading candidates.
In several southern states, Rotimi Amaechi has recorded significant victories. Notably, in Bayelsa State, he secured a commanding win with 44,404 votes, far ahead of Atiku Abubakar, who polled 6,570 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen received 939 votes. Amaechi also emerged victorious in Ebonyi State, where he gathered 6,050 votes, further strengthening his presence in parts of the South East and South South.
On the other hand, Atiku Abubakar has maintained strong dominance in the northern region. He recorded overwhelming victories in states such as Yobe, where he polled 44,841 votes against Amaechi’s 300 votes. He has also performed strongly in other northern states including Zamfara and Sokoto, reinforcing his long established political influence in that region.
This pattern of results highlights a deeply polarized race, with both major contenders holding strong regional bases while struggling to break into each other’s strongholds.
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Uncertain Road Ahead for the ADC
The African Democratic Congress introduced the Option A4 direct primary system across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in an effort to promote transparency and strengthen internal democracy. The intention was to present the party as a modern and accountable political platform capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the growing controversy surrounding the Imo State results now threatens to overshadow that objective. The rejection from Amaechi’s camp raises serious questions about the consistency and credibility of the process in different parts of the country.
As tensions continue to build, the party’s national leadership is now faced with a critical decision. It must determine how to address the grievances raised, while also ensuring that the integrity of the entire primary process is not compromised.
The outcome of this dispute could play a decisive role in shaping the future of the ADC. It may either strengthen the party’s image as a unified and disciplined opposition platform or expose deep internal divisions that could weaken its chances ahead of the general elections.
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