\n\n
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has opened a massive lead in the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries as the party postponed final collation of results until Wednesday evening amid growing tension and disputes from rival camps. Results announced from 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory showed Atiku building a dominant advantage over former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. 
According to figures released during the collation process, Atiku had already secured more than 1.39 million votes from the states announced so far, while Amaechi polled about 248,455 votes and Hayatu-Deen recorded roughly 156,075 votes. The former vice president recorded especially overwhelming victories across several northern states including Adamawa, Kano, Gombe, Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, strengthening his position as the clear frontrunner for the ADC presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election. 
The collation process, however, has been overshadowed by controversy after both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen publicly rejected the credibility of the primaries even before final results were officially announced. Amaechi accused the party leadership of widespread voter disenfranchisement and alleged that the results being collated were “concocted,” insisting that the exercise failed to meet democratic standards. Hayatu-Deen also boycotted the announcement process, alleging massive rigging, manipulation, and coordinated interference during voting across several states. 
The ADC primaries are being closely watched nationally because the party has emerged as a major opposition platform attracting influential politicians ahead of the 2027 elections. The contest between Atiku, Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen is seen as a critical test of the party’s ability to manage internal democracy while positioning itself against President Bola Tinubu and the APC. Political observers say the disputes surrounding the collation process could deepen divisions within the ADC if party leaders fail to address allegations raised by losing aspirants after the final results are declared. 
