Atiku Abubakar has publicly rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress presidential primary held in Abuja on Thursday, claiming the vote was marred by irregularities and demanding an immediate rerun. The former Vice President, who had reportedly sought the ADC nomination despite his age of 81, accused party officials of manipulating results in favour of Babachir David Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The dispute threatens to fracture the ADC weeks before the 2027 general election, with both camps claiming legitimacy. Babachir, speaking from his Lagos residence on Friday, denied any wrongdoing and called Atiku's allegations "baseless and desperate." The conflict has already triggered internal resignations, with at least three senior party members quitting in protest.
The Vote in Abuja
The contested primary took place at the Transcorp Hilton convention centre, where over 2,000 delegates gathered to select the ADC's presidential candidate. Officials announced Babachir had secured 847 votes against Atiku's 723, a margin of 124 ballots. The result was announced around 11:40 pm local time after what party sources described as a two-hour delay in tallying.
Atiku's camp immediately challenged the count, citing discrepancies in delegate credentials and alleging that at least 200 phantom voters had participated. His legal team submitted a formal objection to the ADC National Chairman, Yusuf Coin, within hours of the announcement. Coin, however, dismissed the complaint as "procedurally deficient" and confirmed Babachir as the party's valid nominee.
Babachir's Defence
Babachir addressed reporters outside his Lagos home on Friday afternoon, dismissing Atiku's fraud claims as politically motivated. "I won this primary fairly," he said. "The delegates knew exactly what they were doing when they cast their ballots." He pointed to the presence of independent observers from the National Democratic Institute as proof of the vote's integrity.
The former SGF, who was appointed to that role by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, insisted he had the right to seek any party nomination. Critics had questioned whether his switch from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the ADC violated any formal agreements, but Babachir maintained no such restrictions existed.
Party Leadership Weighs In
ADC National Chairman Yusuf Coin defended the primary process in a statement released Saturday morning. "The vote was conducted according to our constitution," Coin wrote. "We regret that Senator Atiku Abubakar has chosen to reject the democratic will of our delegates, but the party stands by its result." He called on both factions to "put party interests above personal ambitions" ahead of the general election.
Atiku's supporters have demanded Coin's resignation, accusing him of bias. They argue the chairman had publicly backed Babachir's candidacy before the vote, creating a conflict of interest. At least two members of the ADC National Executive Committee have publicly sided with Atiku, raising questions about whether the party can field a unified candidate in 2027.
Impact on Opposition Landscape
The ADC dispute arrives at a awkward moment for Nigeria's opposition parties, which have struggled to coalesce behind a single candidate capable of challenging the APC. Polls conducted by Afrobarometer in early 2027 showed 67% of Nigerians disapproved of the current administration's handling of the economy, yet opposition unity efforts have repeatedly collapsed over candidate selection.
Political analysts in Abuja say the ADC fight could either strengthen or destroy the party's electoral prospects. "A fractured ADC splits the anti-APC vote," noted Dr. Ngozi Okonkwo, a political scientist at the University of Lagos. "But if they resolve this quickly and come together, they become a real threat." She added that both Atiku and Babachir bring significant political networks, particularly in the northern states where ADC has traditionally performed well.
The economic stakes are substantial. Nigeria's naira has weakened by 23% against the dollar in the past year, and fuel queues have returned to major cities including Port Harcourt and Kano. Voters in these areas say they want clear policy alternatives, not internal party warfare. "I don't care who wins their primary," said Chidi Eze, a trader in Onitsha market. "I care who can fix the price of diesel."
Legal and Electoral Consequences
Atiku's legal team has indicated it will pursue relief through both internal party mechanisms and the courts if necessary. Electoral law expert Professor Emeka Obi told Vanguard that the party must resolve disputes before the Independent National Electoral Commission sets its candidate registration deadline in six weeks. "INEC requires a clear nomination," Obi said. "If the ADC cannot certify one candidate, they risk losing their place on the ballot."
The party has 21 days to conduct a fresh primary or confirm Babachir's nomination through its appellate process. Failure to meet INEC's January 15 deadline would force the ADC to field no presidential candidate, a scenario that could devastate down-ballot races across northern Nigeria where the party holds 14 House of Representatives seats.
What Happens Next
Both camps have set deadlines for resolution. Atiku's team has given the ADC National Executive Committee until December 20 to order a rerun, threatening to take the matter to court if ignored. Babachir's supporters have countered with their own 10-day ultimatum, demanding Atiku publicly commit to supporting the nominated candidate regardless of outcome.
The internal dispute has attracted attention from rival parties. The APC's campaign council issued a brief statement wishing the ADC "well in its internal affairs," a comment widely read as smug satisfaction. Meanwhile, the main opposition Labour Party has begun outreach to disaffected ADC members, according to party sources who requested anonymity.
Voters in affected regions should watch for three developments: the ADC's formal response to Atiku's petition, any court filings that could trigger injunctions, and whether prominent northern governors publicly back either faction. The next two weeks will determine whether the ADC survives as a viable opposition vehicle or collapses into irrelevance before a single vote is cast in 2027.
