Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has reacted after emerging the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election.
Atiku defeated former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s presidential primary.
According to the results announced by the party, Atiku polled 1,855,787 votes to beat Amaechi, who secured 509,397 votes, while Hayatu-Deen got 180,903 votes.
Reacting through his social media pages after the announcement, Atiku thanked party members for giving him the opportunity to lead the ADC into the next general election.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation for the privilege, which you have bestowed on me, of leading our great party, the African Democratic Congress, into the next elections as its Presidential Candidate. I am truly humbled and excited by this singular honour,” Atiku wrote.
The former presidential candidate said the ADC has shown that democracy was still alive despite what he described as attempts by the ruling government to suppress opposition voices.
“We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he stated.
Atiku also criticised the Federal Government over insecurity, the economy and alleged intimidation of opposition figures, insisting that “This abuse of power must stop” and warning against interference in the affairs of the ADC.
“Enough is enough,” he declared.
He called on members of the party to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the primaries produced no losers.
“No one was defeated because we are one party and we all need to recognise the fierce urgency of the moment,” he added.
Atiku further invited Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join hands with him in building the party and campaigning ahead of the general election.
“I am ready to lead. I shall work with you all to continue to build our party. I will campaign with you and, if Nigerians give us the mandate, govern with you to build a country that works for all,” he said.
