The Presidential Screening Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has screened three presidential aspirants seeking the party’s ticket.

Those screened at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Wednesday were former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, economist and former banker, Muhammed Hayatu-Deen, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

The three aspirants are expected to battle for the party’s presidential ticket on May 25.

It was reliably gathered that party leaders are intensifying consultations with the aspirants in a bid to reach a consensus arrangement and avoid the logistics and costs associated with conducting direct primaries.

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, told Daily Trust that the party had yet to decide on the mode of primary election to adopt.

In a brief response to our correspondent, Abdullahi simply said: “Not yet.”

However, a party source disclosed that consultations were ongoing among party leaders and the aspirants to ensure an amicable resolution.

“The party leaders are speaking among themselves. They are also engaging the presidential aspirants. The leadership wants the issue resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible.

“But if the aspirants fail to come to a compromise, the party will have no option but to go for direct primary,” the source said.

The insider further maintained that the party remained committed to ensuring that the consensus arrangement succeeds.

Speaking with journalists after his screening, Amaechi said he would accept a consensus arrangement provided the process was transparent and inclusive.

“I’m a member of the party. So, if that is the party’s decision, and it is a process all of us participate in, then why not?” he said.

Before now, Atiku Abubakar had indicated that the party would first pursue a consensus arrangement but would resort to direct primaries if the process failed.

Atiku also disclosed that the 2027 race would be his final attempt at the presidency.

Speaking with journalists after the screening, Muhammed Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as the most credible political platform capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress and offering Nigerians a viable alternative built on competence, credibility and solutions-driven leadership.

The former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, who was accompanied by his supporters, said Nigeria could no longer afford politics without direction at a time millions of citizens were grappling with worsening economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment.

He said his campaign remains focused on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of living, insecurity and the urgent need to create jobs and restore economic confidence.

Hayatu-Deen said that while political discussions often revolve around personalities and power blocs, Nigerians are more concerned about practical solutions capable of improving their lives and restoring hope.

“We cannot continue to normalise poverty, fear and hopelessness as the national condition.

“This election must be about the future of Nigerian families — whether people can afford food, whether young people can find jobs, whether farmers can safely return to their farms, and whether businesses can survive and grow again,” he said.

He added that the ADC presents a unique opportunity to build a broad national coalition anchored on competence, unity and economic renewal, stressing that the country requires leadership with both the capacity and urgency to confront its challenges.

Efforts to speak with Atiku after the screening were unsuccessful.

However, in a statement issued afterwards, the former vice president unveiled what he described as an economic rescue blueprint and security action plan for a nation “bleeding from economic distress and escalating insecurity.”

The statement, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the screening exercise was more than a routine party process, but an opportunity to present a practical pathway for rescuing Nigeria from economic stagnation, mass unemployment, institutional decline and worsening insecurity.

The statement said Nigeria cannot continue on a path where families struggle under severe hardship, businesses collapse amid policy uncertainty, and investor confidence continues to weaken due to the absence of coherent economic leadership.

It added that Atiku’s economic blueprint is anchored on job creation, private sector expansion, fiscal discipline, stable macroeconomic management and renewed efforts to restore Nigeria as a destination for investment and sustainable growth.

On security, Atiku Abubakar expressed concern over the persistent bloodshed across the country, saying no responsible government should stand by while citizens are killed in their communities or abducted on highways, farms and even in their homes.

He said his security strategy would focus on intelligence-driven operations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, decentralised security architecture and the political will to confront criminality decisively.

Also speaking with journalists, Rotimi Amaechi insisted that he did not purchase the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to become anybody’s running mate.

Amaechi said his performance as governor would serve as part of his campaign credentials during the election.

He also attributed rising insecurity partly to systemic failure and widespread youth unemployment, promising to tackle the challenges if elected.

The Presidential Screening Committee is chaired by Liyel Imoke, with other members including C.I.D. Maduabum, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode Ayorinde, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, David Salifu and Abubakar Ali Ciroma. (Daily Trust)

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