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Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress presidential primary election, describing the process as flawed, unfair, and inconsistent with democratic principles. Amaechi made his position known shortly after results from several states showed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar taking a commanding lead in the nationwide primary contest. 
In a statement posted on his X account, Amaechi alleged widespread voter disenfranchisement and accused the party leadership of announcing what he described as “concocted results.” According to him, a large percentage of registered ADC members across the country were prevented from participating in the exercise despite earlier assurances that the primaries would be transparent and credible. He insisted that he would only accept the outcome of a process that genuinely reflected fairness, openness, and internal democracy. 
The former Rivers governor further accused the ADC of engaging in the same electoral practices the opposition party had previously criticised in the ruling APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission. Amaechi argued that a party seeking to present itself as a credible alternative to Nigerians could not afford to tolerate allegations of vote manipulation, voter suppression, and result writing during its own internal elections. He also claimed that nearly 80 percent of party members in some areas were allegedly denied the opportunity to vote during the exercise. 
Amaechi’s protest came hours after fellow presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen also distanced himself from the process over alleged irregularities. The ADC presidential primary featured Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen as the main contenders in what had initially been viewed as one of the most competitive opposition contests ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political analysts say the controversy could deepen internal tensions within the ADC at a crucial time when the party is trying to position itself as a major opposition force capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027. 
