Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally received the presidential flag of the African Democratic Congress after emerging as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
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The flag was presented to him on Wednesday night in Abuja by the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, following the nationwide collation of results from the party’s presidential primary.
Atiku was declared winner of the contest by the Returning Officer, Tunde Ogbeha, at the party’s national collation centre at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
According to the final results, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 504,117 votes, while economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes.
The total votes cast stood at 2,527,977, while the party’s total registered members were put at 3,113,599.
Presenting the party’s flag to Atiku, Mark described him as the candidate who would lead the ADC into the 2027 presidential election.
“I will like to hand over our flag to our flagbearer, and the man who will take us to the Villa,” Mark said.
He admitted that the journey ahead would not be easy but expressed confidence that the party could succeed with Nigerians on its side.
“The journey ahead might not be easy, but with Nigerians on our side, we will win. Nigerians are watching to see if we can put them first. Let tonight mark a rebirth of political trust. Let’s embrace the spirit of sportsmanship,” he added.
Mark also urged all aspirants to work together, describing them as eminently qualified to lead the country. He maintained that the primary was free, fair, credible and in line with democratic standards.
He further disclosed that he came under “intense pressure to tilt the direction” of the primary but insisted that the leadership did not work towards a predetermined outcome.
“We did not work towards a predetermined outcome,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Atiku said, “I hereby accept the nomination.”
The former vice president appealed to Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to close ranks with him and work for the progress of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have a sacred responsibility to build a party that will stand as a great institution not only in Nigeria but as a great example across the world,” Atiku said.
“I therefore appeal to all those who feel aggrieved to come back to our party and close ranks with the rest of us.
“In particular, I invite Chief Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to join me in this fight to save our democracy and our country. As I said previously, there are no winners and no losers.”
Atiku said Nigerians were looking up to the party for leadership, adding that he was ready to lead, campaign with members and govern with them if given the mandate.
“Our people look up to us for leadership. I am ready to lead. I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and, if Nigerians give us the mandate, govern with you to build a country that works for all of us,” he added.
Atiku also accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of intimidating the opposition ahead of the next general election, warning that any attempt to intimidate the ADC would be resisted.
The ADC primary was, however, marred by controversy after Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the process over alleged irregularities, voter disenfranchisement and vote rigging.
Amaechi had described the results being announced as “concocted,” insisting that he would not accept any outcome from a process he alleged was not free, fair or transparent.
Hayatu-Deen also refused to attend the declaration of results, citing reports of widespread vote rigging, some of which he claimed to have personally observed.
Despite the objections, the party proceeded with the final collation and declaration of Atiku as its presidential candidate.
Atiku is now expected to face President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the 2027 presidential election.
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