Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election.

The result of the party’s primary election was announced on Wednesday night at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

According to the result announced by the party, Atiku defeated former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

“Atiku 1,846,370, Amaechi 504,117, Hayatudeen 177,120. Total votes cast in the election: 2,546,457. Total party membership for the election: 3,113,599,” the result stated.

The breakdown showed that Atiku defeated Amaechi by 1,342,253 votes and Hayatu-Deen by 1,669,250 votes.

Following the announcement, the party leadership led by former Senate President David Mark presented the ADC flag to Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

The ADC adopted the direct primary method after the three aspirants declined calls for a consensus arrangement.

Speaking after his victory, Atiku called on aggrieved aspirants and party members to unite ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us,” he said.

He also appealed directly to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join forces with him.

“In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Muhammad Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country,” Atiku stated.

The former vice president stressed that the primary election should not divide the party.

“As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers. Our people look up to us for leadership and I am ready to lead,” he added.

Atiku pledged to work with other aspirants and stakeholders to strengthen the party ahead of the general election.

“I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and if Nigeria’s leaders demand it, govern with you to build a country that works for all of us,” he said.

However, Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging irregularities in the voting process.

Hayatu-Deen had earlier said he would not attend the announcement of the result.

Atiku, while addressing delegates, said the ADC had demonstrated internal democracy despite what he described as growing pressure on opposition politics in the country.

“We constructed that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party… democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he said.

He also alleged intimidation and harassment of opposition figures and warned against interference in party affairs.

Atiku further outlined some of his priorities, including security, education, healthcare and economic reforms.

He promised to strengthen security agencies, expand access to education and improve healthcare delivery if elected president in 2027.