ADC Presidential Primaries: Ebonyi factions name Atiku and Amaechi winners in separate contests

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

Factions of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State held parallel presidential primaries on Tuesday, resulting in two different winners and highlighting the growing crisis within the party in the state.

One faction announced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the winner of a primary that was said to have taken place across the state’s 171 political wards. A rival faction, loyal to the recognised state leadership, declared former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the winner in a separate exercise.

The parallel declarations, made from different locations by separate committees claiming constitutional authority, underscored the intensifying struggle for control of the ADC’s political structure in Ebonyi.

The Atiku camp announced its result at the Preston Hotel in Abakaliki, which served as its designated collation centre.

Speaking on behalf of the “Ebonyi State Presidential Primary Election Committee,” the alleged Chairman of the committee and ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, said Atiku received 15,300 votes, defeating Amaechi who secured 2,200 votes, while Muhammad Hayatudeen garnered 200 votes.

The committee reported that 18,891 voters were registered across the state, and 17,700 accredited voters reportedly participated in the exercise conducted across the 13 local government areas.

“Consequent upon the outcome of the election as seen above, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, having scored the highest votes, is hereby declared winner in Ebonyi State,” Onwe stated.

The declaration was jointly signed by Onwe and the committee secretary, Egbedike Micheal.

In his remarks, factional State Chairman of the party, Barrister Silas Joseph Onu, praised returning officers for their resilience and commitment despite heavy rainfall in parts of the state.

He said the exercise reflected the determination of party faithful to sustain democratic participation and internal inclusiveness.

However, the declaration immediately deepened controversy surrounding the conduct of the primary, as another faction of the party had announced a different outcome hours earlier.

In a separate exercise held at the party secretariat along the old Abakaliki‑Enugu Expressway, the faction led by State Chairman, Dr Mrs Jennifer Adibe‑Nwafor, declared Amaechi the winner of the presidential primary.

Announcing the result, the alleged Coordinator of Electoral Matters and Returning Officer, Bassey Edogi Imoke, said Amaechi polled 6,050 votes to defeat Atiku, who secured 1,210 votes, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen garnered 4,840 votes.

Imoke stated that the exercise was conducted through the direct primary system across the 171 political wards in the state.

According to him, 12,641 delegates were registered for the exercise, and 12,100 delegates were accredited and participated in the election.

“The mode of election is direct primary. The election was conducted across the 171 political wards in Ebonyi State. Total registered delegates were 12,641 while accredited delegates were 12,100,” Imoke declared.

“Atiku Abubakar scored 1,210 votes, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi scored 6,050 votes, while Muhammad Hayatuddeen scored 4,840 votes.

“Consequently, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected as the preferred flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State,” he said.

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