The African Democratic Congress has cleared three heavyweights for its presidential primary holding today. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen will face off for the party's ticket.
Consensus talks among the three aspirants fell apart over the weekend. Party leadership couldn't broker a deal, forcing a direct primary instead.
ADC is positioning itself as a major challenger to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections. The party has already produced governorship candidates across at least 10 states.
In Kebbi, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami clinched the governorship ticket yesterday. He emerged as the consensus choice despite ongoing legal troubles.
Bauchi's Halliru Dauda Jika won the ADC ticket unopposed at an affirmation ceremony. INEC officials witnessed the exercise.
Adamawa saw former NPA boss Umar Suleiman Ummarana emerge as the sole candidate. Ex-governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow stepped aside voluntarily.
Yobe adopted Barrister Kassim Gana Gaidam through consensus arrangement. No primary contest took place in the state.
In Kwara, former lawmaker Zakari Mohammed won the ticket as the only aspirant. He was affirmed as the consensus candidate.
Cross River produced Dr Effiong Nyong, a veteran journalist and broadcaster. Nyong ran unopposed and was affirmed by party stakeholders at the state secretariat in Calabar.
He also flew the ADC flag in 2023's governorship race. Yesterday's affirmation was straightforward with no opposition.
Rivers State witnessed a competitive primary between two major contenders. Dr Gabriel Pidomson defeated former House member Farah Dagogo for the ticket.
Ekiti's Ambassador Dare Bejide emerged as the party's governorship candidate. Details of that primary remain scanty.
Party officials say primaries are still pending in Katsina, Benue, and Borno. Those states will conclude their selection process soon.
Sources within ADC blame the presidential impasse on disagreements over power-sharing. Each of the three main aspirants held significant backing within the party structure.
Atiku's camp reportedly pushed for consensus, citing party unity. Amaechi's supporters insisted on a primary contest instead.
Hayatu-Deen's team maintained they could win on merit. None of the camps budged from their positions.
Party leadership, including the screening committee headed by Liyel Imoke, tried multiple interventions. Weekend talks yielded no breakthrough whatsoever.
The decision to proceed with a direct primary signals deep divisions within the party. Observers worry this could affect unity before the general elections.
ADC officials insist the primary will be transparent and credible. They've promised INEC observers full access to the process today.
Winning today's primary carries enormous stakes for any aspirant. The victor will represent ADC against APC and other parties nationwide.
