The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has screened all three presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that each aspirant followed the laid-down procedures of the screening panel without any preferential considerations.
Screening Process Conducted Fairly
The chairman of the screening panel and former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, told journalists that the committee's report will be forwarded to the National Working Committee of the party, where a decision will be reached on each aspirant. According to Imoke, all three aspirants were in attendance. He emphasized that the screening exercise had requirements set out by the party and there was no bow and go.
Aspirants Present at Screening
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and foremost economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen attended the screening in Abuja on Thursday.
Answering questions from journalists, Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence in the ADC as the most credible political platform capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress and offering Nigerians a serious alternative built on competence, credibility, and solutions-driven leadership. He argued that Nigeria can no longer afford politics without direction, especially at a time when millions of citizens are struggling under worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and unemployment. According to him, his campaign remains firmly focused on the issues that matter most to ordinary Nigerians, namely the rising cost of living, insecurity across several parts of the country, and the urgent need to create jobs and restore economic confidence. Hayatu-Deen stated that while political conversations often revolve around personalities and power blocs, Nigerians themselves are increasingly concerned about practical solutions that can improve their daily lives and restore hope in the future.
Atiku's Vision for Nigeria
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described his engagement with the screening panel as far more than a routine party process, saying it was an opportunity to present a practical and urgent pathway for rescuing Nigeria from the grip of economic stagnation, mass unemployment, institutional drift, and the horrifying insecurity that has left innocent citizens vulnerable to massacres, kidnappings, and terror attacks. He stated that Nigeria cannot continue on the current trajectory where families struggle daily under crushing hardship, businesses collapse under policy uncertainty, and investor confidence continues to erode in the absence of coherent economic leadership. He stressed that his economic blueprint is anchored on job creation, private sector expansion, fiscal discipline, stable macroeconomic management, and a renewed commitment to restoring Nigeria as a destination for serious investment and sustainable growth. According to him, at this defining moment in Nigeria's national life, the country does not need experiments. It needs tested leadership, clarity of vision, and the courage to make difficult but necessary decisions in the national interest.
Amaechi's Stance on Federal Character
The third aspirant screened by the panel, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, told journalists that if elected president, his administration will abolish the Federal character principle. He stressed that the system fails to appreciate competence and capacity in leadership. Amaechi also assured that his screening was smooth and that he will abide by the decision of the ADC. He emphasized that indigenous and religious considerations have contributed greatly to the backwardness Nigeria has experienced since independence, and that his administration, if elected, will prioritize citizenship. He pointed out that all the aspirants must be rated and considered by their track records and not where they come from. He expressed concerns over the dilapidated state of infrastructure, insecurity, and the economic mess Nigeria has found itself in.
