3.4m ADC members to decide Atiku, Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen’s fate

…As party holds presidential primary, flagbearer to emerge today

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said its 3,444,000 registered members will determine the party’s presidential candidate through what it described as a transparent and competitive primary process.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja to mark the commencement of the exercise, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said the ADC remains the only political party currently conducting what he termed a “real primary election” in the country.

Abdullahi said the party’s membership figure was based on records officially submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Based on the membership registration submitted to INEC, we have 3,444,000 members after a comprehensive clean-up exercise. Nigerians can verify the figure with INEC,” he stated.

The party adopted the direct primary mode after the three presidential aspirants rejected a proposed consensus arrangement. The contenders are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Abdullahi said none of the three presidential aspirants could confidently predict victory, stressing that the process was open and credible.

“We are very proud that we are giving Nigerians a very competitive internal democratic process,” Abdullahi said.

He dismissed claims by rival political groups challenging the legitimacy of the party leadership, insisting that the Supreme Court had affirmed the leadership of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

He also accused the ruling APC of inflating its membership strength ahead of the 2027 elections, alleging that the party was attempting to create a false impression of electoral dominance.

Also, chairman of the ADC Presidential Primaries Election Committee, Ikechi Emenike, said the ADC remained committed to transparency, inclusiveness and internal democracy.

“At a time when democratic values are increasingly being degraded within the nation’s political landscape, the ADC proudly stands out as the only political party in Nigeria presently demonstrating genuine commitment to transparent, inclusive and democratic principles,” he said.

Emenike stated that, unlike other political parties accused of imposing candidates, the ADC had created a level playing field for all aspirants to canvass support from members nationwide.

“We know how to count properly and arithmetically. We are ADC. We will not inflate figures to deceive Nigerians,” he added.

Also speaking, ADC National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, said the party had carefully designed its primary process to ensure credible candidates emerge at all levels.

He added that INEC had been duly notified and was monitoring the party’s primaries nationwide, including the ongoing presidential exercise.