Hayatu-Deen Won't Go to Court Over ADC Primary Results

Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has said he will not challenge the results of the party’s presidential primary held on May 25, 2026. He accused the party of having many irregularities and problems during the primary process.

In a statement he released on Monday titled “My campaign, the silent majority and the future of our democracy,” Hayatu-Deen said he chose to support party unity and the larger goal of creating a strong opposition instead of focusing on his own political dreams.

His decision comes a few days after he distanced himself from the primary by not attending the announcement of the election results. He pointed to reports of vote manipulation and doubts about the honesty of the election.

On May 26, before the results were announced, Hayatu-Deen said on his social media, “I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed.”

He questioned the party's commitment to democratic values, saying, “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.”

This statement led to talks that he might seek legal action or formally contest the primary results. But in his latest statement, Hayatu-Deen said he came to a different decision after talking with supporters and party members.

“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.

Though he did not give details about the alleged irregularities, Hayatu-Deen said the primary did not meet his expectations. He has shared his worries privately with the party leaders.

“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,” he stated.

“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.”

Hayatu-Deen, who first ran for president with the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022 before joining the ADC, believed the party could bring a new political culture based on integrity, ideology, and internal democracy.

“I joined the ADC because I sincerely believed that the party represented an opportunity to build something different, a credible opposition movement anchored on a strong ideology, integrity, internal democracy, and national renewal,” he said.

During his campaign, he felt that many Nigerians still want good leadership despite their frustration with the politicians. He called this group Nigeria’s “silent majority.”

“These are Nigerians who may not always dominate public discourse or social media conversations, but who carry within them a quiet and enduring hope for a better country,” he said.

“Nigerians who still believe that leadership matters. Nigerians who still believe that integrity matters. Nigerians who are not asking for perfection, but who long for a high quality of life, a safer and more secure society, fairness, equity, competence, and compassion in governance.”

Even though he was not happy with the primary results, Hayatu-Deen asked his supporters to stick to the values of his campaign.

“What I will carry forward from this campaign is not bitterness, but gratitude,” he said, thanking volunteers, donors, party members, and supporters across the country.

He also told Nigerians not to lose faith in the democratic future of the country.

“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.”

Hayatu-Deen finished by saying that even though his presidential campaign was over, the bigger fight for national renewal was still ongoing.

“This campaign may have come to an end, but the larger task of building a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Nigeria continues. And that cause remains worthy of our collective effort.