Hayatu-Deen Rules Out Court Action Over ADC Presidential Primary
A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has announced that he will not challenge the outcome of the party’s May 25, 2026 presidential primary in court, despite raising concerns over alleged irregularities during the exercise.
Hayatu-Deen disclosed the decision in a statement issued on Monday, noting that he had opted to prioritise party unity and the broader goal of building a credible opposition over pursuing legal action.
The former presidential hopeful had, prior to the announcement of the primary results on May 26, distanced himself from the collation process, alleging widespread vote manipulation and questioning the credibility of the exercise.
He also faulted the party’s internal democratic standards, arguing that the ADC could not criticise electoral malpractice by the Independent National Electoral Commission while allegedly tolerating similar conduct within its own ranks.
However, following consultations, Hayatu-Deen said he had decided against seeking judicial redress over the outcome of the primary.
“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,” he said.
While accepting the outcome, he maintained that the process fell short of expectations, adding that he had privately communicated concerns over procedural issues to the party leadership.
He expressed hope that the party would review the issues raised, stressing that any political organisation seeking to govern Nigeria must uphold democratic values internally.
Hayatu-Deen also thanked his supporters and campaign team for their commitment throughout the contest, urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future.
“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 said.
He added that although the presidential primary had ended, the task of building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Nigeria remained a collective responsibility for all citizens.
Comments
Post a Comment