Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged victorious in the African Democratic Congress presidential primary election conducted across wards in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku secured a total of 25,153 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 18,339 votes in the exercise.
Businessman and presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-deen, finished third with 3,264 votes.
The result of the primary election was officially announced on Monday by the Returning Officer, Onyebuchi Chukwu.
The ward-based primary election, which took place across different parts of Abia State, was reported to have been conducted peacefully under the supervision of security agencies.
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Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, the Publicity Secretary of the ADC in Abia State, Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya, commended party members for their orderly conduct and participation during the primary.
Ogbonnaya specifically praised members of the party in Arochukwu and other parts of the state for turning out in large numbers to take part in the election process.
She described the peaceful conduct of party faithful during the exercise as a positive sign for the party’s democratic culture ahead of the general elections.
Political observers noted that the outcome further highlights Atiku’s continued influence within opposition politics as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential race.
The ADC presidential primaries are expected to continue in other states as the party moves toward finalising its candidate ahead of the next phase of the electoral process.