The Rotimi Amaechi camp in Imo State rejected the African Democratic Congress presidential primary results on Tuesday. The camp described the exercise that declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as winner as a sham.
Chigozie Alex, the Orlu Zonal Coordinator of the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Imo State Campaign Structure, spoke to journalists in Owerri. He said the camp rejected the primary because no actual election took place in the state.
Alex added, “We call on the national leadership of the ADC to cancel the sham primary conducted in Imo State, conduct a fresh, transparent, and inclusive direct primary across all wards.”
Earlier, the ADC conducted the primary across Imo State wards. Party officials declared Atiku Abubakar the winner with a large margin of votes. Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation, scored significantly fewer votes in the announced results.
Transitioning to the next steps, the Amaechi supporters demanded full access for accredited agents at every polling location. They argued that the process lacked transparency and inclusivity. Alex stressed that only a credible primary would reflect the true wishes of party members in Imo State.
The development highlighted ongoing tensions within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Rotimi Amaechi had earlier purchased the nomination form to contest the presidency and rejected any vice-presidential arrangement.
This rejection added to the disputes that surrounded the party’s presidential nomination process in several states.
