ADC’s Presidential Screening Committee Approves Atiku, Amaechi, and Hayatu‑Deen for Monday’s Direct Primaries

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential screening committee has approved all three of its presidential candidates for the direct primary elections scheduled for Monday.

The candidates vying for the ADC presidential nomination in the 2027 general election are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Hayatu‑Deen Mohammed.

ADC has also cleared 513 candidates for the House of Representatives, 109 for the Senate, 80 for governorships, and the three presidential aspirants.

Those cleared will compete in their respective wards beginning Monday, May 25.

Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, chairs the high‑level Presidential Screening Committee.

Committee members include Hon. CID Maduabum (Secretary), Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Nnena Elendu‑Ukeje, Prof. David Salifu, and Col. Abubakar Ali Ciroma (retired).

The direct presidential nomination elections will be held in 8,809 wards across the federation.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source from the Imoke‑led committee said: “We spoke to the presidential aspirants and none of them agreed to step down for each other. So, we have recommended that the party leadership initiate all processes for the direct primary election as directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

“The presidential nomination election will take place in all the wards, and the aspirants have been informed,” the source added.

Earlier, Amaechi had asserted his intention to contest the party’s presidential ticket, stating that he did not purchase the nomination form in order to become a vice‑presidential candidate for anyone.

After being screened by the ADC committee, Amaechi reiterated: “I don’t want to be vice president. I made myself clear.”

He added that his presidential ambition is independent of any vice‑presidential arrangement and that he is fully committed to running for president.

He also said that, if elected president in 2027, he would abolish the federal character principle, arguing that all Nigerians should enjoy equal citizenship rights without regional or ethnic distinctions.

Hayatu‑Deen, while not willing to step down for anyone, told THISDAY that he would follow the party’s direction.