Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, securing victories in five states as nationwide voting continues ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The contest features Atiku alongside former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Although the party is yet to formally announce final nationwide results, early figures from state-level collation indicate that Atiku is maintaining a strong lead in the race for the party’s presidential ticket.

He reportedly won in Gombe, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Zamfara State, boosting expectations among his supporters as collation continues across the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In Gombe State, Returning Officer Prof. David Agbu announced that Atiku polled 139,334 votes, while Amaechi scored 1,150 votes and Hayatu-Deen secured 464 votes.

In Abia State, Atiku reportedly garnered 25,153 votes, ahead of Amaechi’s 18,339 votes and Hayatu-Deen’s 3,264 votes.

In Ebonyi State, results declared by the ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, showed Atiku winning with 15,300 votes, while Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen polled 2,200 and 200 votes respectively.

The pattern continued in Sokoto State, where Atiku secured 68,823 votes against Amaechi’s 292 votes and Hayatu-Deen’s 319 votes.

Similarly, in Zamfara State, Atiku recorded 60,500 votes, with Hayatu-Deen and Amaechi trailing behind with 436 and 191 votes, respectively.