Hayatu-Deen: I’ll not challenge outcome of ADC presidential primary

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has announced that he will not challenge the outcome of the May 25th, 2026 ADC presidential primary in court. Hayatu-Deen contested the presidential ticket of the ADC for the 2027 elections against former Vice president Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. However, Hayatu-Deen had boycotted the collation of the results saying he was concerned by reports from across the country of “widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed. “How can the ADC criticise INEC for election interference and the falsification of results, and yet tolerate the same within its own house? I will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.” he had said. Police Recover 245 Rustled Cattle in Kaduna, Foil Kidnap Attempts Federal workers reject N100,000 minimum wage proposal On Sunday, Atiku had a closed-door meeting with Hayatu-Deen in Lagos, were reconciliation moves and party unity were said to have been discussed. Barely hours after the meeting, Hayatu-Deen, in a statement titled “My Campaign, The Silent Majority, and the Future of Our Democracy,” described his campaign as a movement inspired by what he called Nigeria’s “silent majority”. While acknowledging disappointment with the primary process, Hayatu-Deen said the need for a strong and united opposition must remain greater than individual ambition, hence his decision not to approach the court. Hayatu-Deen, who thanked his supporters across the country for their efforts during the campaign, urged Nigerians “not to accept dysfunction as normal”, insisting that the larger struggle to build a fairer and more prosperous Nigeria continues. Part of the statement said, “The outcome of the May 25 primary did not fully meet my expectations, and I have communicated my deep concerns about certain processes and procedural matters directly and privately to the leadership of the party. I trust that those concerns will be reviewed in the spirit of continuous improvement, because any party that aspires to lead Nigeria must first demonstrate democratic discipline and integrity within its own walls. “I have decided, after careful reflection and wide consultation, that I will not challenge the outcome in court. Nigeria urgently requires a strong, credible and united opposition. That objective must always remain larger than individual ambition or temporary political disappointment. “What I will carry forward from this campaign is not bitterness, but gratitude. Gratitude to every Nigerian who believed in this movement. To the young people who volunteered their time and energy. To the women who organised tirelessly across communities. To our coordinators, supporters, donors, professionals, students, artisans, and party faithful across the federation, thank you. “What moved me most throughout this journey was the profound connection many Nigerians had to the values we tried to represent: equity, inclusion, discipline, competence, integrity and national renewal. Many of you were not simply supporting Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. You were expressing your belief that Nigeria can still become the country we all know it can be. “Please do not stop believing. Do not surrender your hope to cynicism. Do not accept dysfunction as normal. And do not stop believing in the possibility of a better nation.” he added.