Rotimi Amaechi has rejected the outcome of the African Democratic Congress presidential primary, insisting that the process was neither fair nor credible.
In a statement posted on his X account, Amaechi said: “I REJECT THE CONCOCTED RESULTS OF THE ADC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES,” citing alleged widespread voter disenfranchisement during the exercise.
He explained that he had earlier vowed to accept only a free, fair and transparent primary, adding that the process did not meet those conditions.
According to him, the integrity of the election was compromised by claims that a large number of party members were shut out of voting.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent 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? 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 further criticised the process, arguing that a party that condemns the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission for electoral malpractice cannot engage in similar practices internally.
“A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that leads to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable!”
Amaechi maintained that the ADC was founded to promote inclusivity, accountability, and credible leadership, but said the conduct of the primary failed to reflect those ideals.
