Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged victorious in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary conducted in Osun State, defeating businessman Hayatu Deen Muhammed and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
Results released by the electoral committee overseeing the exercise showed that Atiku secured 12,321 votes out of the 17,000 total votes cast during the primary election held across the state.
Hayatu Deen Muhammed came second with over 4,000 votes, while Amaechi finished a distant third after polling 679 votes.
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The results indicated that Atiku swept all the 30 local government areas in Osun State, underlining his dominance in the exercise and reinforcing his political structure within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The outcome was announced by the chairman of the electoral committee, Olusola Adepoju, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Osun ADC spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abosede.
The statement, obtained in Osogbo, said the former vice president recorded victories across all local government councils in the state during the exercise.
“Atiku Abubakar won the entire 30 LGAs in the state,” the statement read.
“He polled 12,321 out of 17,000 total votes cast in the primary. He was followed by Hayatu Deen Muhammed with over 4,000 votes, while Rotimi Amaechi polled 679 votes.”
The development is expected to intensify political conversations within opposition circles as parties continue early positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general election, has remained one of Nigeria’s most influential opposition figures despite losing the last presidential contest to President Bola Tinubu.
His growing influence within the ADC has fueled speculation over possible coalition talks among opposition politicians seeking a formidable platform against the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of 2027.
Political observers say the Osun primary result could strengthen Atiku’s standing within the party while potentially reshaping internal alignments among aspirants and regional blocs.
Amaechi’s participation in the exercise also drew attention because of his longstanding role within the APC and his previous presidential ambitions before the 2023 elections.
The ADC has recently witnessed increased activity from prominent political figures amid ongoing discussions around opposition realignment, coalition-building, and the search for a stronger electoral platform capable of challenging the APC nationally.
Although the Osun exercise represents a state-level primary process, analysts believe the result may carry symbolic significance as political actors test influence, delegate strength, and grassroots structures ahead of broader national calculations.
