Ahead of its presidential primaries for the 2027 general election, the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday screened former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, as consultations over the party’s ticket intensify.
The exercise, held behind closed doors at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, was conducted by a screening panel chaired by former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, with Cyril Maduabum serving as secretary.
Hayatu-Deen arrived at the venue at about 10:50 a.m. and spent roughly one hour before the panel, while Atiku arrived later at about 12:06 p.m.
Speaking with journalists after his appearance, Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence in the process and said he was prepared for whichever mode of candidate selection the party adopts.
He said, “I spent approximately one hour in the room and it went very well. We are now at a very pivotal moment in the campaign process. At 11 o’clock this morning, I came and I was screened.
“We are now going to go through a major momentous event in the sense that we’ll either undergo a consensus exercise or go into direct primaries within the short period of time that is available. I stand ready, able, and willing to go through that process.”
The former banker also outlined what Nigerians should expect from his candidacy if he eventually secures the ADC ticket.
He said, “I will like to pledge to the Nigerian people that I will wage a campaign that is disciplined, focused, and geared towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians at a very difficult moment in the nation’s history, given the problems that relate to insecurity, the high cost of living crisis, massive unemployment, the lack of jobs, lack of power, lack of infrastructure, and dilapidated educational and health institutions.”
On his chances in the event of a direct primary, Hayatu-Deen said he was adequately prepared for the contest.
“I’ve been prepared for this for quite some time, so I’m prepared for either eventuality. It is a process that I actually thought through very carefully and profoundly before I went into it.
“You don’t go into this kind of thing without preparation. You put your credibility and your name on the line. It’s very expensive,” he added.
Shortly after Hayatu-Deen left the venue, Atiku walked into the screening hall to meet with members of the panel.
The former vice president, however, declined to speak extensively with reporters after the exercise, saying only, “The screening went well.”
Atiku, who has contested the presidency multiple times since 1993, remains one of the most prominent opposition figures in the country. His decision to seek the ADC ticket comes amid ongoing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Hayatu-Deen, a former presidential aspirant with experience in banking and public policy, is considered one of the technocratic voices within the party pushing for economic reforms and institutional rebuilding.
As of the time of filing this report, former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, was still being awaited at the venue for his screening.
The ADC is expected to conclude its screening process ahead of consultations that will determine whether the party adopts a consensus arrangement or proceeds to a direct primary to pick its presidential candidate for the 2027 race.
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