Nigeria - Boubacar Sani

Nigeria’s African Democratic Party is witnessing one of its most sensitive electoral processes today, with the start of the presidential primaries in which three of the country’s most prominent political and economic figures – former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Roshihids Ameche, and businessman and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Din – are competing to win the party’s nomination for the 2027 presidential elections.

This political race comes after the party leaders failed to reach a consensus candidate, prompting the party to move forward with direct elections between the three candidates, a move that reflects the depth of the division within its ranks despite its growing influence as a major opposition force in the country.

Fierce competition within the African Democratic Party of Nigeria

The party leadership held a series of intensive meetings over the weekend in an attempt to avoid a competitive election, but all attempts ended without an agreement, as none of the three candidates refused to withdraw in favor of the other.

A source within the party said the candidates decided to leave the final decision to the party members, adding that the leadership had hoped to reach a consensus to avoid internal tension, but that did not happen.

The official spokesman for the party, Bulaji Abdullah, confirmed in a brief statement that the primaries will be held as planned, indicating that the matter will be decided through voting.

The party's internal selection committee, chaired by former Cross River State Governor Lyle Mboh, had previously conducted a vetting process for the candidates, which resulted in Atiko, Ameche, and Hayatou-Dean qualifying to compete.

Atiku Abubakar is considered the frontrunner due to his extensive political experience, having run in multiple presidential races since 1993 and previously serving as Nigeria's vice president. He recently announced that the 2027 election will be his last attempt at the presidency, further emphasizing the importance of this contest for him.

In contrast, Roshiheds Ameshi, the former transportation secretary and former governor of Rivers State, is seeking to bolster his chances in the race, rejecting speculation that he might withdraw in favor of the vice-presidential nomination, and asserting that he entered the race to win the nomination and not for any political deal.

The third candidate, Mohammed Hayatou-Din, presents himself as a new reformist option, far removed from traditional policies, stressing that Nigeria needs new leadership capable of addressing the worsening economic and security crises, especially in the north of the country, with rising unemployment rates and deteriorating living conditions.

In a related context, the party announced the completion of its selection of candidates for a number of governorship positions in at least 10 states, as part of its preparations to contest the upcoming general elections.

However, the party is simultaneously facing a new internal crisis, after an opposition faction announced the formation of a parallel leadership and named an alternative presidential candidate, a move that has exacerbated the division within the party.

Despite these tensions, the party's main leadership is proceeding with the primary elections today, hoping that the party will produce a unified candidate capable of competing with the ruling party in the upcoming presidential elections.