Ahead of its presidential primaries for the 2027 general election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has screened former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, as consultations over the party’s presidential ticket intensify.

The exercise, which was held behind closed doors at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, was conducted by a screening panel chaired by former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, with Cyril Maduabum serving as secretary.

Hayatu-Deen arrived at the venue at about 10:50 a.m. and spent about one hour before the panel, while Atiku arrived later at about 12:06 p.m.

Speaking with journalists after his screening, Hayatu-Deen expressed confidence in the process and said he was prepared for either a consensus arrangement or direct primaries.

“I spent approximately one hour in the room, and it went very well,” he said.

“We are now going to go through a major momentous event in the sense that we’ll either undergo a consensus exercise or go into direct primaries within the short period of time that is available. I stand ready, able, and willing to go through that process.”

He pledged a disciplined campaign focused on addressing insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and infrastructural challenges in the country.

Atiku, who also spoke briefly after his screening, simply said, “The screening went well.”

The former Vice President, who has contested Nigeria’s presidency multiple times since 1993, remains one of the ADC’s leading contenders as opposition realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party is expected to conclude its screening process before deciding whether to adopt a consensus arrangement or proceed to direct primaries to select its presidential candidate.