Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen are battling for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s nationwide direct primary election.

According to Channels Television, voting took place simultaneously across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards on Monday using the Option A4 voting system, with party members queuing openly behind their preferred aspirants.

The primary is seen as a crucial moment for the ADC as the opposition party seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 presidential election and challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Atiku voted at Ajiya Ward in Jimeta, Adamawa State, while Amaechi cast his vote in Ward 5, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Hayatu-Deen participated in the exercise in Borno State.

Reacting after voting, Atiku described the process as “democracy at work”.

“The election taking place simultaneously in 8,809 wards in Nigeria is a major step in our quest to recover our beloved country and set it on the path of prosperity,” he wrote on X.

Atiku and Amaechi joined the ADC in July 2025 alongside other opposition figures, including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, as part of a coalition aimed at unseating the APC in 2027.

However, Obi later defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress alongside former Kano State governor Musa Kwankwaso.

The party, led by former Senate President David Mark, had screened and cleared the three aspirants before the primary.

Attempts to produce a consensus candidate reportedly failed, forcing the party to adopt a direct primary process to determine its presidential flagbearer.

Amaechi is relying on his political structure and support base in the South, while Atiku is banking on his national political network and northern influence. Hayatu-Deen has positioned himself as a technocratic candidate focused on economic reforms and governance.

The outcome of the primary is expected to shape the opposition’s preparations ahead of the February 20, 2027 presidential election.