The Shehu Maishanu-led Zamfara chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its preferred aspirant for the party’s May 25 presidential primary.

Mr Atiku was endorsed during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, on Saturday.

The ADC presidential screening committee had cleared Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatudeen to contest the party’s primary election scheduled for Monday, May 25, in Abuja.

The meeting was attended by state executive members, national representatives from the state, and the party’s candidates for governorship, National Assembly, and House of Assembly seats.

“After extensive deliberations on Nigeria’s current challenges and the future of democratic governance, participants resolved that Atiku Abubakar possesses the experience and leadership qualities needed to address the nation’s pressing issues,” the stakeholders said.

They cited Atiku’s track record in public service and private enterprise, describing him as a seasoned democrat, bridge-builder, and advocate of economic reform and inclusive governance.

The stakeholders expressed confidence in his ability to restore national unity, improve security, and stimulate economic growth.

They declared that the people of Zamfara would strongly support the former vice president to clinch the ticket and contest the 2027 presidency, stressing that the country requires his leadership at this critical time.

Speaking at the meeting, Abubakar Abdullahi, a former APC Zamfara Central coordinator for the 2023 presidential election, said the electoral irregularities witnessed in previous elections would not be repeated in 2027.

Mr Abdullahi expressed optimism that voters would freely choose credible leadership in the next polls.

He said the ADC in Zamfara also pledged total commitment to Mr Atiku’s presidential ambition, vowing to mobilise support across all local government areas, wards, and polling units to ensure victory in the 2027 election.

“The party further called on its members, youth groups, women’s organisations, civil society actors, and the general public to support what it described as a vision for national recovery, justice, and economic prosperity,” he said.

The meeting reaffirmed the party’s commitment to unity, discipline, grassroots mobilisation, and issue-based political engagement as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC had named Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau, former deputy governor of the state as Zamfara governorship candidate after defeating two other candidates to clinch the ticket.

Namadi Musa, chairman of the ADC governorship primary committee, announced the result of the primary on Saturday in Gusau.

The former deputy governor polled 35,665 votes, while Abdul’mutallab Ahmed Mohammed scored 15,922 votes and Shehu Ahmed Musa scored 7,642 votes.

“Having scored the highest votes and met the guidelines of the Electoral Act and the requirements of the party, Aliyu-Gusau is hereby declared winner of the primary election,” Mr Musa announced.

Mr Musa also declared Shehu Rafi as the party’s flag bearer for Zamfara North senatorial district.

He named Atiku Abubakar Saleh as the candidate for Zamfara West, and Mika’ila Bello as the candidate for Zamfara Central senatorial district in the 2027 polls.

For the House of Representatives, the returning officer announced Nura Mohammed for Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency, Bashir Abubakar for Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji, and Mohammed Mustapha for Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency.

Others are Umar Faru for Gummi/Bukuyyum Federal Constituency, Isiaka Ibrahim Anka for Anka/Mafara Federal Constituency, and Abubakar Abdullahi for Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency.

Mr Musa, however, noted that the ADC had no candidate for Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency, as no aspirant from the area expressed interest in the ticket.

The Chairman of the ADC in Zamfara, Shehu Maishanu, thanked party members for the successful primary elections across the state.

He enjoined members to be law-abiding and to work toward the party’s victory in the 2027 elections. 

(NAN)