Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, alleging widespread disenfranchisement and irregularities during the exercise.
Amaechi, who reportedly contested for the party’s presidential ticket amid rising coalition efforts within the opposition, accused key officials within the party of compromising the credibility of the process through manipulation and exclusion of genuine delegates.
In a strongly worded reaction shortly after the results were announced, Amaechi claimed that many accredited delegates loyal to his camp were denied access to voting venues, while others allegedly discovered their names missing from delegate registers despite earlier clearance.
The former minister also alleged that the primary process was heavily influenced by powerful political interests seeking to impose a preferred candidate on the party. According to him, the exercise failed to reflect democratic values and undermined the confidence of party members who expected a transparent contest.
Supporters of Amaechi reportedly protested in parts of Abuja after the announcement of the results, accusing party leadership of orchestrating a predetermined outcome. Some members of his political camp threatened legal action and demanded a cancellation of the exercise, insisting that the process lacked fairness and credibility.
The controversy has further deepened internal tensions within the ADC at a time when the party is attracting attention from opposition politicians positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Political observers say the dispute could weaken ongoing coalition efforts and damage the party’s image as an alternative platform promising democratic reforms.
Meanwhile, ADC officials defended the conduct of the primaries, maintaining that the process followed constitutional guidelines and party procedures. Party leadership also appealed to aggrieved aspirants to pursue grievances through internal mechanisms rather than public confrontation.
The dispute surrounding the primaries has now intensified national conversations about internal democracy within opposition parties, especially as many Nigerians continue to demand greater transparency and accountability from political institutions ahead of the next general elections.
