Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has recorded an early advantage in the ongoing presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress, securing leading positions in Sokoto, Abia, Osun, and three additional states as vote counting continues.
Preliminary results emerging from the party’s internal electoral process indicate that Atiku is gaining significant support across multiple state delegations, placing him ahead of other contenders in the race. Party officials overseeing the exercise have continued to collate and verify figures from various state congresses, with early trends suggesting a strong performance by the former vice president in several regional blocs.
In Sokoto State, party delegates reportedly leaned heavily in his favour, giving him a comfortable margin over rival aspirants. Similar patterns were observed in Abia and Osun, where he also maintained an early lead during the counting process. In addition, three other states have been listed among those where he is currently ahead, further strengthening his position as one of the frontrunners in the primary contest.
Although the results remain provisional, the emerging picture is already shaping political discussions within the party, as stakeholders assess potential outcomes ahead of the final declaration. Delegates and party observers have described the contest as competitive, with multiple aspirants still hoping to close the gap as remaining votes are tallied.
Party officials have urged calm among supporters, emphasizing that the process is ongoing and that final results will be announced only after full verification and consolidation of state-level returns. They also stressed the importance of transparency and internal cohesion as the party moves toward selecting its presidential candidate for the next general election cycle.
For now, Atiku’s early lead signals a strong start in the primary race, though the outcome remains subject to final confirmation by the party’s electoral committee.
