Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has emerged victorious in the African Democratic Congress presidential primary election held in Anambra State, securing more than triple the votes of his closest rival in a contest that underscores the intensifying battle for political positioning ahead of the upcoming general elections. The announcement came Tuesday in Awka, the state capital, where party officials declared the results of what they described as a peaceful and well contested electoral exercise.
Honorable Nduaka Nwolisa, who served as Chairman of the ADC Presidential Primary Election Committee, announced that Atiku garnered an impressive 58,566 votes in the state’s primary, demonstrating significant grassroots support within the party structure. His nearest competitor, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, managed to secure 17,085 votes, while the third candidate in the race, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatudeen, trailed with 7,861 votes. The wide margin of victory suggests a consolidation of support behind the former vice president’s candidacy within Anambra’s ADC membership.
The primary election represents a critical juncture for the African Democratic Congress as the party seeks to position itself as a viable alternative in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive political landscape. Anambra State, known for its educated electorate and history of independent political thought, has often served as a bellwether for political sentiment in the Southeast region. Atiku’s commanding performance in the state could signal broader acceptance of his candidacy beyond his traditional northern base of support.
Speaking at the declaration ceremony, Nwolisa emphasized the transparent nature of the electoral process and commended party members for their orderly conduct throughout the voting exercise. He noted that all three contestants had campaigned vigorously across the state, presenting their visions for the country to party delegates who ultimately exercised their democratic choice. The peaceful conclusion of the primary stands in contrast to the acrimony that has occasionally characterized similar exercises in other political parties.
Atiku Abubakar brings decades of political experience to the ADC platform, having previously served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007 and contested multiple presidential elections under different party banners. His migration to the African Democratic Congress marks yet another chapter in a political career defined by strategic party movements and persistent presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, Amaechi, who served as Minister of Transportation and earned recognition for his infrastructure projects, has positioned himself as a younger alternative with executive experience at both state and federal levels.
As state primaries continue to unfold across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the outcome in Anambra provides momentum for Atiku’s campaign while raising questions about how other regions will vote. The results from various states will ultimately determine who carries the ADC’s presidential flag into the general election, making each state contest a crucial building block in the national tally. Political observers will be watching closely to see whether Atiku can maintain this dominant performance across other geopolitical zones or whether regional preferences will produce a more fragmented outcome that could lead to a contested national convention.
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