Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election after winning in five states.
The contest is being held nationwide to select the party’s presidential nominee for the 2027 general election, according to the report.
Atiku is competing against former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The ADC national leadership has not formally announced the final collated results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, but figures obtained from some states showed Atiku maintaining a strong lead.
The former vice president was reported to have clinched victory in the states of Gombe, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Results announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. David Agbu in Gombe State, show that Atiku polled 139,334 votes.
Amaechi came second with 1,150 votes while Hayatu-Deen scored 464 votes.
In Abia State, Atiku also won with 25,153 votes to Amaechi’s 18,339 votes. Hayatu-Deen received 3,264 votes.
Results announced by the ADC National Vice Chairman, Diaspora, Fred Onwe in Ebonyi State showed that Atiku scored 15,300 votes.
Amaechi scored 2,200 votes, Hayatu-Deen got 200 votes.
Atiku got 68,823 votes in Sokoto State, Amaechi got 292 and Hayatu-Deen got 319.
Atiku got 60,500 votes in Zamfara State. Hayatu-Deen scored 436 votes while Amaechi scored 191 votes.
The ADC primary is viewed as a major test of strength within the opposition as parties continue realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains one of the most influential figures in opposition politics.
Amaechi campaigned on institutional reforms and internal party democracy, while Hayatu-Deen campaigned on economic restructuring and private sector led growth.
Party officials are expected to announce the full results after collating from the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
