Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been declared the winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Primary Election in Gombe State, securing a decisive victory on May 25, 2026. The Returning Officer, Professor David Agbu, announced the results after a peaceful and orderly voting process across the state. Atiku polled 139,334 votes, far outpacing his closest rival, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi, who received 1,150 votes. Muhammad Hayatu-Deen, another contender, garnered 465 votes in the election.
The primary election saw 140,949 registered ADC members cast their ballots, representing about 87.5% of the 160,982 party members registered in Gombe State. Professor Agbu emphasized that the exercise was conducted without major incidents, reflecting the party’s commitment to transparency and fairness. He formally declared Atiku the winner, stating, “From these results, Atiku scored the highest votes in the election and is hereby declared as the winner of the primary election in Gombe State, held today on May 25, 2026.”
This outcome aligns with earlier announcements by the ADC in Gombe State, which had declared Atiku as their sole candidate for the presidential primary. The party’s decision to field Atiku exclusively was seen as a strategic move to consolidate support and avoid internal fragmentation. Despite the presence of other names on the ballot, the primary served more as a formality, reinforcing Atiku’s position as the party’s standard-bearer.
Atiku’s victory in Gombe State adds to his growing momentum within the ADC as he seeks to position himself as a strong contender in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. His performance in the primary underscores his popularity among party members in the North-East region, a key political zone in Nigeria. The peaceful conduct of the election also sets a positive precedent for future party activities and national primaries.
With Atiku now officially endorsed by the ADC in Gombe, the party is expected to intensify its campaign efforts across other states. His next steps will likely involve rallying support from other state chapters and finalizing campaign strategies ahead of the general election. The result in Gombe State is a significant milestone in the ADC’s presidential bid and highlights the party’s organizational strength. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Atiku’s emergence as the ADC’s presidential flagbearer in Gombe State marks a critical step in his quest for national leadership.
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