ADC presidential aspirant rejects primary results over alleged rigging

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, one of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the party’s presidential primary process, alleging widespread irregularities and vote rigging.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen announced that he would not participate in the next stage of the exercise, citing concerns over the credibility of the election.

“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. 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,” he said.

Hayatu-Deen is contesting the ADC presidential ticket alongside Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and Rotimi Amaechi, former Ministerof transportation.

The development comes despite the party’s earlier assurance that the primary election process would be transparent and democratic.

Hayatu-Deen’s withdrawal from the collation and result announcement stage is expected to deepen tensions within the opposition party as nationwide collation continues.

Reports indicated that arrangements had already been concluded for the official announcement of results in Abuja, while Atiku was said to be leading in several states at the time of filing this report.