Presidential primary: ADC returning officers arrive Abuja for result collation

Returning Officers for the presidential primary election of the African Democratic Congress have started arriving at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, venue of the collation and declaration of results for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

The exercise marks the final stage of the nationwide primary election which commenced on Monday across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Party officials are expected to conclude the collation process later on Tuesday, after which the winner of the keenly contested presidential primary will be formally announced.

In the race for the ADC ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and economist and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

The contest has generated considerable political interest within opposition circles, especially as parties begin early positioning and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general election.

Before the party adopted the direct primary option, there had been speculation over the possibility of a consensus arrangement among the leading aspirants. However, all three contenders publicly rejected calls to step down, insisting on testing their popularity through the ballot.

Our correspondent at the venue observed that Returning Officers from Abia, Akwa Ibom and Kebbi states had already arrived to submit and present results from their respective states.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission are also expected to monitor the exercise, with about 20 seats already reserved for electoral observers and commission representatives inside the collation hall.

The atmosphere at the venue remained calm as party officials, delegates, journalists and security personnel moved in and out of the conference area ahead of the formal commencement of the declaration exercise.

The primary, regarded as one of the biggest internal contests in the ADC’s recent history, is expected to shape the party’s strategy for the 2027 presidential election and determine its role in the evolving opposition political landscape.

The exercise, however, comes amid emerging concerns over alleged irregularities in parts of the process after one of the aspirants, Hayatu-Deen, announced he would boycott the final declaration ceremony, citing reports of widespread vote rigging.

Despite the controversy, party leaders insist the process remains credible and transparent, with final collation expected to continue throughout the day.

More details later.