By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Fresh controversy has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the rejection of the party’s presidential primary election results by two aspirants, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, over alleged widespread irregularities and voter disenfranchisement.
In separate statements posted on their verified X handle on Tuesday, both aspirants distanced themselves from the outcome of the exercise, citing claims of vote rigging and lack of transparency.
Amaechi, a former governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, said he rejected what he described as “concocted results” from the primaries, alleging that a significant number of party members were prevented from participating in the voting process.
“I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi stated.
He said he had earlier committed to accepting the outcome only if the process was free, fair and transparent, insisting that the conduct of the primaries failed to meet those standards.
“There’s no way that about 80 per cent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” he queried.
Amaechi further accused the party of engaging in practices similar to those it had criticised in other political parties, including alleged vote buying, result manipulation and voter disenfranchisement.
“A party that criticises the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results and other electoral malpractices,” he added.
Similarly, economist and presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, announced that he would not attend the official declaration of the presidential primary results due to concerns over alleged irregularities.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today,” Hayatu-Deen said in a statement.
He added: “I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
The development signals deepening divisions within the ADC at a critical stage of its preparations for the 2027 general elections, raising questions over the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process.
The ADC leadership had repeatedly presented the primaries as a model of transparency and internal democracy, contrasting its process with those of rival political parties.
As of the time of filing this report, the party is yet to issue an official response to the allegations raised by the two aspirants.
Attempts to get comments from the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi was unsuccessful as he was not able to respond to telephone calls.
Meanwhile, the party is yet to start the collation process schedules to start by 10am at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton – Abuja.
