ADC Primary Proved Democracy Can Work in Nigeria — David Mark

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, on Wednesday declared that the party’s presidential primary had demonstrated that democracy and healthy political competition could still thrive in Nigeria without violence, division or crisis.

Mark spoke at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, during the official collation and declaration of results for the ADC presidential primary, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

According to the results announced at the event, Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 504,117 votes, while former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes. The total votes cast stood at 2,546,457 from a party membership of 3,113,599.

Following the declaration, Mark officially presented the ADC flag to Atiku as the party’s presidential standard-bearer for the 2027 election.

Speaking at the event, the former Senate President said the exercise was not only about producing a presidential candidate but also about restoring confidence in democratic values and internal party democracy.

“Today is not just about announcing a presidential candidate. Today is also about proving a point to Nigeria and to Nigerians,” Mark said.

“It is about proving that democracy can still work. Proving that political competition does not have to become political warfare. That a party can organise itself around principles instead of personalities.”

Mark noted that many Nigerians had doubted the ADC’s ability to organise a peaceful and transparent primary, with some predicting confusion, division and even collapse within the party.

“Many people doubted us. Some dismissed us. Others predicted confusion, division, and even outright collapse. But you stood firm,” he stated.

He also commended members of the Presidential Screening Committee and Presidential Primary Election Committee for conducting what he described as a credible and transparent exercise despite intense pressure and national attention.

The ADC chairman further praised Atiku, Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen for participating in the contest instead of opting for a consensus arrangement, saying their actions strengthened democracy within the party.

The ADC commenced its presidential primary process on Monday, May 25, 2026, using the direct primary method after all three aspirants reportedly rejected calls to step down for a consensus candidate.