By CHARLES IWUOHA

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State on Monday conducted its presidential primary election across the 171 political wards in the state, with former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, emerging as the preferred flag bearer of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Announcing the results in Abakaliki, the Coordinator of Electoral Matters and Returning Officer for the exercise, Bassey Edogi Imoke, disclosed that Amaechi secured 6,050 votes to emerge victorious, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen garnered 4,840 votes to come second, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar coming a distant third with 1,210 votes.

Imoke explained that the presidential primary was conducted through a direct primary system across the 171 political wards in the state.

According to him, a total of 12,641 delegates were registered for the exercise, while 12,100 delegates were accredited and participated in the election.

“The mood of the election is by direct primary. The type of election is presidential election conducted on May 25, 2026, across the 171 political wards in Ebonyi State.

“Total registered delegates in Ebonyi State were 12,641, while accredited delegates were 12,100. Total valid votes stood at 12,100.

“Atiku Abubakar scored 1,210 votes, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi scored 6,050 votes, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen scored 4,840 votes.

“At the end of the election, His Excellency Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, having scored the highest number of votes cast, is hereby returned elected as the preferred flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State for the 2027 general election,” he declared.

Earlier, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the ADC, Dr Mrs Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, said the exercise commenced peacefully across the state without reports of violence or irregularities.

She noted that the conduct of the direct primary across all the wards was a departure from the party’s previous system where delegates converged at a single venue for primaries.

“We have three presidential aspirants Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Hayatuddeen Mohammed and the members are expected to decide the best among them through a secret ballot process.

“This is the first time the exercise is being conducted across all ADC states simultaneously, and I believe the essence is to ensure peace and inclusiveness,” she said.

Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, Adibe-Nwafor congratulated Amaechi on his victory and commended party members for their peaceful conduct throughout the process.

“I want to appreciate the members of the ADC in Ebonyi State for the way and manner they conducted themselves and also congratulate His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi for winning convincingly.

“No delegate was forced to vote for any aspirant. The election was free, fair and credible, while all aspirants were given a level playing ground,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Paschal Okafor, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and credible.

“It was fair, free and credible. Every aspirant was given a fair opportunity, and I congratulate ADC members for the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the election,” Okafor said.

Up North in Sokoto, Atiku recorded a sweeping victory, polling an overwhelming 69,431 votes to defeat his closest challengers by a massive margin.

The result of the exercise was officially announced at the ADC State Secretariat in Sokoto by the Returning Officer, Professor Aminu Abubakar Illela, in the presence of party leaders, delegates and key stakeholders from across the state.

Declaring the outcome, Prof. Illela said Atiku emerged victorious after securing 69,431 votes cast by delegates during the presidential primary election conducted across the state.

According to him, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, scored 292 votes, while businessman and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, garnered 319 votes.

The returning officer described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and credible, commending delegates and party officials for their orderly conduct throughout the process.

“With the powers conferred on me as the Returning Officer for this election, I hereby declare Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the Sokoto State ADC presidential primary election, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast,” Prof. Illela announced.

The declaration triggered wild jubilation among party supporters and loyalists who thronged the secretariat, chanting solidarity songs and expressing confidence that the former vice president remains the most formidable opposition figure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Stakeholders of the party who spoke shortly after the announcement said the outcome reflected the confidence reposed in Atiku’s leadership capacity, political experience and commitment to national unity.

They maintained that the overwhelming support recorded in Sokoto State signaled growing momentum for the ADC ahead of the next presidential contest, insisting that Nigerians were yearning for competent and experienced leadership capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

The primary election was monitored by INEC, party officials and observers, with ADC leaders in the state describing the exercise as a major step toward consolidating internal democracy and strengthening the party’s national outlook ahead of 2027. (With additional reports by Vanguard)