BREAKING: ADC primary in crisis as Hayatu-Deen pulls out of presidential race

By Tolulope Oke

ADC presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has pulled out of the party’s presidential primary process, alleging widespread vote rigging across the country.

In a post on his X handle, the former banker said he was concerned by reports from different states, adding that some of the alleged irregularities were personally observed by him.

“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today,” he said.

“I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”

His decision comes as the ADC prepares to announce the final outcome of its presidential primary, in which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen are the major contenders.

The ADC primary was conducted through direct voting across the country’s 8,809 wards, using the Option A4 system, where party members queued openly behind their preferred aspirants. Reports said the party had 3,444,000 registered members eligible to participate in the exercise.

Hayatu-Deen had earlier raised concerns about the conduct of the primary after voting in his ward in Borno State.

He alleged that the process fell short of transparency and fairness, claiming that he received reports of irregularities from delegates and party stakeholders in several states. He also alleged that he received phone calls asking him to step down for an unnamed aspirant.

The ADC had, however, insisted that it was conducting a credible and transparent process.

Meanwhile, Atiku has been leading in several reported results from the primary.