Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the early frontrunner in the ongoing African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, securing victories in six states as results continue to trickle in from across the country.
Results released from state collation centres and party officials show Atiku leading the race after recording wins in Sokoto, Abia, Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, and Zamfara states, ahead of fellow aspirants, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Although the ADC national leadership has yet to officially announce the collated outcome of the exercise, figures obtained from various state centres indicate a strong early showing for the former vice president.
In Gombe State, Atiku polled 139,334 votes, leaving Amaechi with 1,150 votes and Hayatu-Deen with 464 votes.
In Abia State, Atiku secured 25,153 votes, defeating Amaechi, who recorded 18,339 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 3,264 votes.
Results from Ebonyi State also favoured Atiku, who garnered 15,300 votes. Amaechi secured 2,200 votes, while Hayatu-Deen received 200 votes.
In Sokoto State, Atiku maintained his dominance with 69,431 votes, while Amaechi polled 292 votes and Hayatu-Deen secured 319 votes.
Zamfara also delivered a significant lead to Atiku, who scored 60,500 votes. Hayatu-Deen followed with 436 votes, while Amaechi recorded 191 votes.
In Osun State, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Adepoju Abimbola, announced that Atiku won across all 30 local government areas in the state.
According to figures released by the state electoral committee, Atiku secured 12,321 votes out of the 17,000 accredited voters who participated in the exercise.
Hayatu-Deen finished second with 4,000 votes, while Amaechi received 679 votes.
The ongoing primary election is expected to determine the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election as party members continue voting and collation of results progresses nationwide.
ADC Presidential Primary: Atiku Takes Early Lead in Sokoto, Abia, Osun, Three Other States
