By Paul Daniel l June 1, 2026
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has ruled out any legal challenge to the party’s presidential primary despite previously raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
Hayatu-Deen's decision comes days after he publicly questioned the credibility of the primary election, alleging that reports from across the country pointed to widespread vote manipulation and irregularities during the exercise. At the time, he declined to attend the official announcement of the results and indicated that he would seek advice on possible next steps.
Despite those concerns, the businessman and politician has now signaled that he will not pursue litigation against either Atiku or the ADC, a move that could help ease tensions within the opposition party following a fiercely contested primary election.
The ADC primary attracted national attention as it featured three prominent contenders — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen. Following the nationwide voting process, Atiku emerged victorious with a commanding lead over his rivals, securing the party's presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Hayatu-Deen's decision not to challenge the outcome is being viewed by political observers as a significant step toward preserving party unity at a time when opposition groups are attempting to consolidate support against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The move may also reduce the risk of prolonged internal disputes that could weaken the ADC's preparations for the next election cycle.
The primary election was not without controversy. Both Hayatu-Deen and Amaechi had voiced dissatisfaction with aspects of the process, with allegations ranging from voter disenfranchisement to vote rigging. However, ADC officials consistently defended the exercise, describing it as transparent, democratic, and one of the most credible primary elections conducted by a political party in recent years.
Since his victory, Atiku has repeatedly called on party members and former rivals to unite behind the ADC's broader political objective of challenging the APC in the 2027 elections. He has emphasized that internal divisions could undermine the party's chances of presenting a formidable opposition platform.
Hayatu-Deen's latest position appears to align with those calls for unity, suggesting that despite reservations about the conduct of the primary, he is unwilling to allow internal disagreements to escalate into a legal battle that could further divide the party.
With the primary contest now effectively settled, attention within the ADC is expected to shift toward reconciliation efforts and preparations for the 2027 presidential campaign as the party seeks to strengthen its position ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive election season.