Atiku emerges early front-runner in ADC presidential primary, wins six states

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as an early front-runner in the ongoing African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, after securing victories in six states so far.

Atiku is reported to have won in Sokoto, Abia, Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, and Zamfara, according to results released from state collation centres and party officials.

Although the ADC national leadership is yet to formally announce a final nationwide collation, available figures indicate Atiku is leading other contenders, including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

In Gombe State, Atiku reportedly polled 139,334 votes, while Amaechi scored 1,150 votes and Hayatu-Deen recorded 464 votes. In Abia, he secured 25,153 votes ahead of Amaechi’s 18,339 and Hayatu-Deen’s 3,264.

Ebonyi State results showed Atiku with 15,300 votes, while Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen polled 2,200 and 200 votes respectively. In Sokoto, Atiku reportedly scored 69,431 votes against Amaechi’s 292 and Hayatu-Deen’s 319 votes, while Zamfara also went in his favour with 60,500 votes.

In Osun State, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Adepoju Abimbola, said Atiku won across the 30 local government areas with 12,321 votes out of 17,000 accredited voters.

The ADC Publicity Secretary, Seun Abosede, confirmed that Atiku polled 12,321 votes in Osun, with Hayatu-Deen scoring 4,000 votes and Amaechi trailing with 679 votes.

The ongoing primary exercise is expected to produce the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, amid growing political interest and internal party tensions.