Atiku Declares Winner of Ebonyi Primary Amid Disputed Results in Parallel Tally

Another faction of the African Democratic Congress in Ebonyi State on Monday declared former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, winner of its presidential primary election conducted across the state, amid conflicting results from rival party factions.

The result was announced at Preston Hotel in Abakaliki, which served as the state collation centre for the exercise held across the 171 wards in Ebonyi State.

The Ebonyi State Presidential Primary Election Committee stated that Atiku secured 15,300 votes to defeat former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who polled 2,200 votes, while Muhammad Hayatudeen recorded 200 votes.

The committee disclosed that 18,891 voters were registered for the exercise, while 17,700 were accredited across the 13 local government areas of the state, with voting conducted despite heavy rainfall in several locations.

Chairman of the committee, Fred Onwe, who also serves as ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), declared Atiku the winner, stating that he had scored the highest number of votes cast in the primary election.

The State Chairman of the party, Silas Joseph Onu, commended the peaceful conduct of members and the dedication of officials despite challenging weather conditions during the exercise.

However, the outcome remains contested, as another faction of the party separately announced Amaechi as the winner of a parallel primary election, deepening internal divisions within the party structure in the state.