Despite the loud grumbling by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Managing Director (MD), defunct FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, alleging rigging and other irregularities in the primary, opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) late Wednesday declared former Vice President (VP) Atiku Abubakar, winner of the primary.
Thus, this makes the Adamawa-born ex-VP ADC’s presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election.
Amaechi had kicked against the conduct of the primary, vowing to seek redress in court.
The collation of results was announced at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Wednesday.
Abubakar, popularly called Atiku, polled 1,846,370 votes while Amaechi secured 504,117 votes, and Hayatu-Deen brought up the rear with 177,120 votes.
The results were reeled out by Returning Officer of the primary, Tunde Ogbeha, who declared Atiku victorious.
Baring any future changes, Atiku will slug it out with Mr Peter Obi, already endorsed by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); President Bola Tinubu, elected by the federally-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in weekend’s primary, and candidates from other political parties. Former President Goodluck Jonathan could also be in the mix.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Atiku.
