Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections after winning the party’s nationwide primary election.

Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes.

The results were announced on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Chief Ikechi Emenike, who disclosed that 2,527,977 registered party members participated in the exercise.

Chief Returning Officer, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, subsequently declared Atiku winner of the contest.

In his acceptance speech, Atiku praised party members for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible primary election. He said the ADC had shown that democracy remained alive despite alleged intimidation of opposition parties.

The former vice-president said the primary was not about winners and losers but a collective mission to rescue Nigeria from insecurity, economic hardship, nepotism and political intolerance.

He urged party members, supporters and fellow contestants, including Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen, to unite ahead of the 2027 elections.

“There are no winners and losers. Our people look up to us for leadership, and we are ready to lead,” he said.

Atiku also pledged to work with party leaders and members to strengthen the ADC and provide leadership capable of rebuilding the country.