Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has emerged winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary in Bayelsa State, defeating former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the keenly contested exercise.
According to results released by the African Democratic Congress and reported by , Amaechi secured a total of 44,404 votes to clinch victory in the Bayelsa State presidential primary conducted as part of the party’s nationwide direct primaries ahead of the 2027 general election.
The results showed that Atiku polled 6,570 votes to place second, while Hayatu-Deen garnered 939 votes in the exercise. The development further underlines the growing competition within the ADC as leading opposition figures position themselves for the party’s presidential ticket.
The primary election, which held across the country’s wards using the Option A4 voting method, featured three major aspirants cleared by the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark. The exercise attracted national attention due to the calibre of politicians participating in the race.
Amaechi’s victory in Bayelsa is considered significant given the strategic political importance of the South-South region and the influence of delegates and party loyalists in the state. Political observers believe the outcome could strengthen the former Rivers governor’s standing in the overall contest for the ADC presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Hayatu-Deen has rejected aspects of the primary process, alleging irregularities and widespread rigging in some states. In a statement posted on his X account, the economist said he would not attend the official announcement of the presidential primary results pending consultations with his team.
Earlier results from other states had suggested that Atiku was leading in several northern and eastern states, raising expectations of a tight national contest between the former Vice President and Amaechi.
The ADC has recently emerged as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election, attracting influential political figures from across the country as efforts intensify to build a formidable coalition against the ruling APC.
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