Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has recorded his first major victory in the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress after emerging winner in Bayelsa State.
The result was announced at the party’s collation centre in Yenagoa by the Chairman of the ADC Presidential Primaries Committee in the state, Commodore Promise Dappa (retd), who also served as the returning officer for the exercise.
According to the official results, Amaechi secured 44,404 votes to defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who polled 6,570 votes, while businessman and presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen scored 939 votes.
The direct primary election was conducted across the 105 wards and eight local government areas of the state, with Amaechi reportedly dominating the exercise in most of the voting centres.
Electoral officials disclosed that out of 56,356 registered party members, 53,298 voters were accredited for the exercise. A total of 51,913 votes were declared valid, while 1,785 ballots were rejected.
Declaring the outcome, Commodore Dappa said Amaechi emerged winner after polling the highest number of lawful votes cast in the state primary election.
The development is being viewed as an early boost for Amaechi’s presidential ambition within the ADC ahead of the party’s national convention and the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, Hayatu-Deen has announced his withdrawal from the next stage of the primary process, alleging irregularities during the conduct of the exercise.
Political observers say the Bayelsa result could influence momentum within the party, especially as aspirants intensify consultations and nationwide mobilisation ahead of the final phase of the presidential contest.
The ADC primaries are expected to continue in other states as the party seeks to produce its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
