The African Democratic Congress screened former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former FSB International Bank Managing Director Mohammed Hayatu-Deen on Wednesday ahead of its presidential primary for the 2027 general election, as talks over the party’s ticket continue to intensify.
Meanwhile, a screening panel led by former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and secretary Cyril Maduabum conducted the exercise behind closed doors at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Hayatu-Deen arrived at the venue around 10:50 a.m. and spent about an 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.”
In addition, the former banker described what Nigerians might anticipate from his campaign should he get the ADC ticket.
Atiku Screened
Similarly, after Atiku Hayatu-Deen left the venue, Atiku walked into the screening hall to meet with members of the panel.
However, the former vice president only said, “The screening went well,” declining to talk in-depth with reporters following the exercise.
Atiku remains one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures, having contested the presidency several times since 1993. He is seeking the ADC ticket amid ongoing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi was still waiting for his screening when this report was filed.
Afterward, the ADC plans to conclude its screening process before leaders hold consultations to decide whether the party will adopt a consensus arrangement or conduct a direct primary to choose its presidential candidate for the 2027 race.
BACKSTORY…
This comes barely twenty four hours after Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to allow the party primaries decide the candidate, following Atiku’s rejection of zoning.
Amaechi made the remark on Monday during an interview on Trust TV, where he expressed confidence ahead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election.
He stated that this could be the first time Atiku would experience defeat in a primary contest.
According to him, Atiku has consistently won party primaries in the past but has never secured a general election victory.
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