Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that democracy is firmly established in Nigeria, speaking shortly after casting his vote in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election. The exercise took place on Monday, May 25, across 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas nationwide.
Atiku Votes in Adamawa
Atiku cast his ballot at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa state, amid a large turnout of ADC party faithful. In a statement from his media office, he noted: "The large turnout of voters is a clear indication of how party members are willing to participate in the ADC's internal democratic processes. I have no doubt that democracy has come to stay."
ADC Presidential Primary Contest
The ADC primary features three main contenders: Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank. The party proceeded with the primary after several attempts to reach a consensus candidate failed.
Atiku, who previously ran under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and came second in the 2023 presidential election, defected to the ADC in 2025. He has pursued the presidency since the 1990s, contesting six times and appearing on the ballot as a candidate in 2007, 2019, and 2023. At 80 years old by the 2027 election, he has indicated this will be his final attempt.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The winner of the ADC primary will face President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi, the consensus candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku has also dismissed rumors of retirement, accusing "anti-democratic elements" of attempting to create confusion and dampen the ADC's momentum. His media office reaffirmed that he remains fully engaged in active politics.
