ADC postpones presidential screening as Atiku, Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen fail to reach consensus deal

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has postponed its presidential screening exercise from Monday to Wednesday following unresolved disagreements over the party’s preferred consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party insiders said the delay became necessary due to widening divisions among leading aspirants, including Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, as stakeholders struggle to rally around a single flagbearer.

According to sources within the party, consultations are ongoing among key power blocs, with efforts focused on presenting a consensus candidate capable of strengthening the ADC’s electoral competitiveness against President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming poll.

“The ADC presidential screening exercise has been shifted from Monday to Wednesday,” a party source confirmed, adding that disagreements over consensus remain unresolved among the top contenders.

Another insider further alleged that the party’s internal tensions are compounded by financial constraints and competing interests ahead of the primaries.

On Saturday, the ADC had earlier announced a postponement of its screening exercise for presidential and governorship aspirants, shifting it from the weekend to Monday, May 18, 2026.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party also disclosed adjustments to screening arrangements for some federal legislative aspirants from parts of Northern Nigeria, citing security concerns.

Affected aspirants, it said, would be contacted with revised schedules and further instructions.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to an orderly process, urging stakeholders to remain patient as preparations continue.

Earlier released guidelines showed that the ADC’s primary timetable included screening of aspirants from May 14 to May 15, publication of results on May 17, and appeals between May 18 and May 19.

The presidential primary had been scheduled for May 25, 2026, followed by other party conventions and ratification processes.

The party also pegged its nomination fees at ₦100 million for presidential aspirants, ₦50 million for governorship, ₦20 million for Senate, ₦10 million for the House of Representatives, and ₦3 million for State Houses of Assembly.

With the latest postponement, uncertainty continues to trail the ADC’s internal arrangements ahead of what is expected to be a tightly contested 2027 general election.

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