Atiku Rejects ADC Primary Result, Demands Rerun After Fraud Allegations

Atiku Abubakar has formally rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress presidential primary, claiming the vote was manipulated and demanding a full rerun. The former vice president lost to Babachir David Lawal, who declared victory at the ADC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Atiku's legal team filed a complaint within 48 hours, alleging irregularities across 14 states.

Babachir Claims Narrow Victory in Abuja

Babachir David Lawal secured the ADC presidential nomination after a weekend-long primary held across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. His campaign team announced he received 2,340 votes against Atiku's 1,890, a margin of 450 votes. The results were announced at a press conference at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon.

Party chairman Rufus Olawunmi confirmed the tally but declined to comment on the disputed figures until the complaints committee finished its review. "The process was transparent," Olawunmi told reporters. "We welcome any challenges through proper party channels."

Atiku's Camp Alleges Systematic Fraud

Atiku's political adviser, mixture Kwankwaso, released a statement late Tuesday accusing Babachir's supporters of ballot-box stuffing in Katsina, Kano, and Rivers states. The statement named specific local government areas where the campaign claimed to have documented evidence of overvoting. Atiku's team demanded the affected polling units be invalidated and fresh votes conducted.

The former vice president held a brief interview with Vanguard newspaper on Wednesday, saying he would not campaign for the ADC if the results stood. "This party cannot build a national coalition on stolen votes," he said. His supporters have called for a national protest if the complaint is dismissed.

Historic Rivalry Resurfaces

The dispute revives a long-running rivalry between two of Nigeria's most prominent northern politicians. Atiku previously ran for president under the All Progressives Congress in 2019, finishing third behind incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. Babachir served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation under Buhari before their relationship soured in 2017 over allegations of grasscutting contract fraud.

Political analysts say both men needed a viable party vehicle for 2027. The ADC, while small, offered a path without the internal politics of larger parties like the APC or PDP. That calculation now faces a serious test.

ADC Leadership Under Pressure

The ADC's national executive committee convened an emergency session on Thursday to discuss the crisis. Three executive members resigned during the meeting, according to sources present. Party supporters gathered outside the National Secretariat in Abuja, with divisions visible between Atiku and Babachir camps.

The party has until December to submit its presidential candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Any delay in resolving this dispute could leave the ADC without a certified candidate before the deadline. Electoral Commission rules require parties to field candidates at least 180 days before general elections.

Impact on Opposition Coalition

The internal conflict threatens the ADC's position in Nigeria's opposition coalition discussions. Multiple opposition parties have been negotiating a merger ahead of 2027, hoping to present a united challenge to the ruling party. The ADC was expected to contribute significant northern support to any alliance.

Senior APC members have privately welcomed the dispute, according to sources familiar with the matter. One APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the division weakens the opposition's organising capacity in key northern states. The ruling party has not issued a public statement on the ADC's internal affairs.

What Happens Next

The ADC complaints committee has seven days to issue a ruling on Atiku's formal objection. If the complaint is upheld, the party must schedule a fresh primary. If dismissed, Atiku faces a choice between accepting the result or leaving the party before the December filing deadline.

Watch for the committee's ruling, expected by the end of next week. A rerun would push the ADC close to INEC's candidate registration deadline, leaving little margin for error. The opposition coalition's future may depend on how quickly this dispute is resolved.