ADC presidential primary: Atiku takes early lead, sweeps Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, others

Former Vice President and ADC presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has taken what appears to be a commanding early lead in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, strengthening perceptions that the race may already be tilting decisively in his favour.

Results declared from four states so far show Atiku dominating the contest, winning three states and amassing more than 174,000 votes, while former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has managed victory in only one state.

The early trend is already fueling speculation that Atiku may be heading for an overwhelming victory unless there is a dramatic shift in the remaining states.

In Sokoto State, Atiku recorded one of his strongest performances, polling 68,823 votes across the state’s 23 local government areas.

His closest rival, Amaechi, secured just 292 votes, while the total votes cast stood at 69,434.

The former Vice President also cruised to victory in Yobe State, where he secured 44,841 votes, leaving Amaechi with 300 votes and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen with 365 votes.

In Zamfara State, Atiku further consolidated his lead with 60,500 votes, defeating Hayatu-Deen, who scored 446 votes, and Amaechi, who polled only 191 votes.

The results from the three northern states alone have handed Atiku more than 174,000 votes, underlining his continued dominance across large sections of the North and reinforcing the argument of supporters who believe he remains the ADC’s strongest electoral asset heading into 2027.

Amaechi’s only bright spot so far came from Ebonyi State, where he emerged victorious with 6,050 votes. Hayatu-Deen secured 4,840 votes, while Atiku finished third with 1,210 votes.

While the Ebonyi result demonstrated Amaechi’s appeal in parts of the South-East, political observers note that the margin of Atiku’s victories in the North dwarfs the gains recorded by the former Rivers governor.

The unfolding results also appear to support recent political calculations suggesting that much of the northern political establishment is increasingly aligning with Atiku and the ADC platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

With influential northern figures already associated with the party and Atiku posting commanding numbers in states announced so far, questions are beginning to emerge over whether the contest may already be effectively settled before results from many remaining states are declared.

For now, the scoreboard tells a clear story:

Atiku Abubakar: Wins in Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara with over 174,000 votes combined.

Rotimi Amaechi: Wins only Ebonyi with 6,050 votes.

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen: Yet to secure victory in any state announced so far.

As collation continues across the country, Atiku’s camp will be encouraged by what appears to be an increasingly unassailable lead, while Amaechi faces the difficult task of overturning a widening gap in the remaining contests.

Unless there is a major upset in states yet to declare, the ADC presidential primary is rapidly shaping into a coronation rather than a contest.

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