Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election after defeating former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s primary election.

The result, announced Wednesday night at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, showed Atiku polling 1,846,370 votes, ahead of Amaechi’s 504,117 and Hayatu-Deen’s 177,120 votes.

Following the announcement, party leaders led by Senator David Mark presented the ADC flag to Atiku.

Speaking after his victory, Atiku called for unity within the party and urged aggrieved members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 elections.

“There are no winners and no losers. We are one party,” he said, while inviting Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to join him in what he described as a struggle to rescue Nigeria.

However, Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome, alleging manipulation of the voting process.

Atiku also pledged to focus on security, education, healthcare and economic reforms if elected president.