The African Democratic Congress presidential primaries took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secured major victories in several states, while supporters of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi rejected the outcome in Imo State, calling the exercise a “sham.”

The parallel narratives emerging from the ADC primaries reveal growing tensions inside the opposition party ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with accusations of irregularities threatening to overshadow what party officials described as a peaceful and transparent process.

In Edo State, Atiku was officially declared winner of the ADC presidential primary after polling 17,729 votes, defeating Amaechi who secured 10,116 votes. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 1,906 votes.

Chairman of the electoral committee, Dr. Mabel Adinkwu, announced the results in Benin City, stating that the state recorded 32,263 registered voters.

According to her:
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the Edo State ADC Presidential primaries.”

Party officials in Edo praised the process as peaceful and credible, with ADC deputy state chairman Sylvester Ewanehi insisting the exercise reflected the will of party members.

However, the atmosphere was far more contentious in Imo State.

The Amaechi campaign structure in Imo rejected the outcome entirely after ADC officials announced that Atiku had won the state primary with 52,200 votes against Amaechi’s 7,659 votes.

Speaking in Owerri, Orlu Zonal Coordinator of the Amaechi campaign structure, Chigozie Alex, alleged that no legitimate direct primary took place across most wards in the state.

According to him:
“What we witnessed was not a direct primary. It was a secret selection.”

He further alleged that accredited agents were denied access to polling locations and accused some local party officials of compromising the process in favour of Atiku.

Despite the protest, ADC electoral panel chairman for Imo State, Eko Atu, maintained that the exercise covered all 305 political wards and 27 local government areas in the state.

While several platforms focused mainly on Atiku’s victories, a closer look at the unfolding situation suggests the ADC may already be battling internal fractures similar to those that weakened opposition coalitions in previous election cycles.

Reports from multiple states indicate that the contest is becoming increasingly polarised between Atiku and Amaechi supporters, with rival factions questioning the legitimacy of some voting exercises.

What makes the situation more complex is that the disputes are emerging before the party concludes national consolidation of results. Political analysts say unresolved state-level grievances could trigger legal battles, weaken party unity, or even force negotiations within the opposition bloc.

Some reports from other states also point to conflicting declarations and factional disagreements, raising concerns over whether the ADC can maintain cohesion ahead of 2027.

The contest is unfolding at a time when opposition parties are attempting to reorganise ahead of the 2027 presidential election amid economic pressure, inflation concerns, and voter frustration across parts of the country.

A divided primary process could weaken the ADC’s chances of attracting undecided voters or forming broader alliances capable of challenging the ruling establishment.

Nigeria has witnessed similar situations before. Internal disputes within opposition parties ahead of previous elections often resulted in defections, prolonged court cases, and fragmented campaign structures that damaged electoral performance.

Political observers say the real challenge for the ADC now is not only producing a presidential candidate but also convincing party members that the process remains credible.

For Atiku, the victories strengthen his momentum within the party structure and reinforce his national political influence. For Amaechi’s camp, the allegations in Imo suggest the battle may shift beyond ballot counts into legitimacy and party procedure.

The bigger risk is that unresolved disputes could deepen mistrust within the opposition coalition at a critical political moment.

What the ADC leadership does next — particularly regarding complaints from aggrieved factions — may determine whether the party emerges stronger from the primaries or enters the 2027 race weakened by internal conflict.