ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday recorded a landslide victory in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary held in Sokoto State, polling 69,431 votes to defeat his rivals by a wide margin.
The result was announced at the ADC State Secretariat in Sokoto by the Returning Officer, Prof. Aminu Abubakar Illela, in the presence of party officials, delegates, and stakeholders.
Prof. Illela declared Atiku winner after confirming that he secured the highest number of valid votes cast during the exercise conducted across the state.
According to the official results, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi polled 292 votes, while economist and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen scored 319 votes.
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“With the powers conferred on me as the Returning Officer for this election, I hereby declare Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the Sokoto State ADC presidential primary election, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast,” Illela announced.
The declaration immediately triggered jubilation among Atiku’s supporters, who gathered at the secretariat chanting solidarity songs and expressing optimism about his chances ahead of the 2027 general election.
Party stakeholders who spoke after the announcement said the outcome reflected growing confidence in Atiku’s political experience, leadership capacity, and national appeal.
They argued that the result signalled increasing momentum for the ADC as the 2027 election approaches, insisting that Nigerians were seeking experienced leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The primary election was reportedly observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside party leaders and election monitors.
ADC leaders in Sokoto described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, saying it reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy and credible candidate selection ahead of the general elections.