May 26 (THEWILL) — A fresh crisis appears to be brewing within the opposition African Democratic Congress following allegations of widespread irregularities in the party’s 2027 presidential primary election by one of its leading aspirants, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
On Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen announced that he would not participate in the final stage of the presidential primary process, including the official announcement of results, citing alleged vote rigging and irregularities observed during the exercise.
In a strongly worded statement, the aspirant expressed doubts over the credibility of the primary, saying reports from different parts of the country had raised serious questions about the integrity of the process.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will, therefore, be taking advice on my next steps”, he stated.
The development has heightened tensions within the ADC and threatens to overshadow what the party had earlier projected as a transparent and democratic presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election.
The contest has been fiercely contested among former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen.
As of the time of filing this report, Atiku was said to be leading the race, having reportedly secured victories in at least five states during the ongoing collation process.
Meanwhile, arrangements for the formal declaration of results had already been concluded in Abuja, where party officials, delegates and supporters gathered ahead of the announcement.
The ADC leadership had yet to officially respond to the allegations at press time, while the camps of Atiku and Amaechi also remained silent on the claims of manipulation.
Hayatu-Deen, a businessman and former banker, had campaigned heavily on reforms, national unity and economic recovery, positioning himself as a technocratic alternative within the opposition party.
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