Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi, who reacted through a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, dismissed the results emerging from the exercise as fabricated, insisting he would not recognise any process that lacked fairness and transparency.
“Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” he said.
The former minister maintained that he had made his position clear from the outset — that his acceptance of the primaries depended entirely on the credibility of the process.
“I had initially stated that I would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent, and I stand by my word,” Amaechi stated.
He accused the party leadership of abandoning the principles it claimed to uphold as an alternative political platform for Nigerians.
Amaechi argued that the ADC was formed to challenge impunity and poor governance, not replicate the same practices it often criticised.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values the ADC pledged to uphold in rescuing Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement currently facing the country,” he said.
The former governor further alleged that a significant number of party members were denied the chance to vote during the nationwide exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty per cent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” he queried.
According to him, the party was meant to serve as a platform for ordinary Nigerians and give voice to citizens regardless of social status, ethnicity or religion.
“The whole idea of the ADC was to give the Nigerian people a platform, to amplify the voices of the downtrodden, and make Nigeria a better place for everyone irrespective of background, ethnicity or religion,” he added.
Amaechi also accused the party of engaging in the same conduct it had previously condemned in the ruling APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“A party that criticises the ruling APC and INEC for vote-buying, rigging and writing results cannot turn around and engage in the same practices that disenfranchise its own members. This is not acceptable,” he said.
The ADC held a nationwide direct primary on Monday to elect its candidate for the 2027 presidential election, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen contesting the ticket.
While the party is yet to officially release final nationwide results, early figures from several states showed Atiku taking a strong lead, with Amaechi trailing and Hayatu-Deen in third place.
Hayatu-Deen had earlier announced his withdrawal from the process, citing alleged irregularities and claims of vote manipulation.
