National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, has also described the ongoing exercise as the only “real primary election” currently taking place in Nigeria.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that it will declare the winner of its 2026 presidential primary election on Tuesday, May 26, amid mounting tension and fierce rivalry among leading opposition figures seeking the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made by a prominent member of the party, Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, has also described the ongoing exercise as the only “real primary election” currently taking place in Nigeria.

“ADC today is the only party conducting a real primary election in this country. Even as we speak, none of the three aspirants can confidently tell you that they will fly the ADC ticket,” Bolaji said.

The development comes as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Monday participated in parallel ward voting exercises organised across the country by the party.

Atiku, who voted at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, described the process as evidence of internal democracy within the ADC coalition.

“I joined other prospective voters of the African Democratic Congress in our party’s presidential primaries in casting my vote at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta Yola, Adamawa State. This is democracy at work,” Atiku wrote on his X account.

“The election taking place simultaneously in 8,809 wards in Nigeria is a major step in our quest to recover our beloved country and set it on the path of prosperity.”

Amaechi also participated in the exercise in his hometown of Ubima community in Rivers State, with ADC Vanguard sharing videos of his arrival for the primary vote.

The contest has exposed widening cracks within the ADC coalition, which has recently emerged as a gathering platform for opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.

Amaechi had earlier dismissed Atiku’s record of repeatedly winning party primaries, arguing that such victories had failed to produce electoral success at the national level.

“I listened when they said former Vice President said he never failed primary before. I hope this will be the first time he will fail primary,” Amaechi said during an interview on Trust TV monitored by SaharaReporters.

“But that’s not even the issue. The issue is that at all times that you have passed primary, you have not won election. So it’s about electability.”

The former Transportation Minister also questioned whether Atiku still represented a fresh alternative for Nigerians after several presidential bids.

“So what new thing do they bring to the table?” he asked.

The ADC postponed its presidential screening exercise following disagreements among stakeholders over alleged attempts to impose a consensus candidate.

The crisis reportedly revolves around Atiku, Amaechi and former presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with consultations continuing behind closed doors to prevent a possible split within the coalition.