Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice during the exercise.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Amaechi described the results announced by the party as “concocted,” insisting that the process fell far short of basic democratic standards.
“Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” he said.
Amaechi had been one of the prominent figures linked to the contest and had previously stated that he would only accept the outcome if the process was free, fair, and transparent.
“I had initially stated that I would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent, and I stand by my word,” he added.
The former minister further alleged that a significant proportion of party members were denied the opportunity to participate in the vote, questioning the legitimacy of the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty per cent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” he queried.
The allegations add to ongoing tensions within party structures, where internal contests have often been marked by disputes over delegate accreditation, voting access, and transparency.
The African Democratic Congress, a smaller opposition party seeking to expand its national influence, has positioned itself as a platform for inclusivity and reform in Nigeria’s political space. However, internal disagreements such as this risk undermining its efforts to present a unified front ahead of future elections.
Amaechi reiterated that the party’s founding ideals were meant to amplify ordinary Nigerians and promote fairness across ethnic and religious lines.
“The whole idea of the ADC was to give the Nigerian people a platform, to amplify the voices of the downtrodden, and make Nigeria a better place for everyone irrespective of backgrounds, ethnicity, or religion,” he said.
As of press time, the ADC leadership had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by Amaechi.
The development is expected to intensify scrutiny of the party’s internal processes, while also raising questions about cohesion within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as political realignments continue ahead of future elections.