Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has said he will not go to court to challenge the outcome of the party’s presidential primary held on May 25, 2026, despite earlier raising concerns over alleged irregularities.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hayatu-Deen said his decision followed careful reflection and consultations, coming days after he questioned the credibility of the exercise and alleged widespread vote manipulation.
Before the results were announced on May 26, he had already distanced himself from the collation process, insisting that there were reports of vote rigging across the country. He also questioned the party’s internal democratic standards, noting the contradiction between the ADC’s criticism of electoral malpractice and what he described as similar issues within its own primary.
However, in his latest position, the former presidential hopeful said he had chosen not to pursue legal action, stressing the need for unity within the opposition.
“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.
He added that although the result did not reflect his expectations, he had already raised his concerns about “certain processes and procedural matters” privately with the party leadership.
According to him, he hopes the issues will be addressed, arguing that any political party seeking to lead the country must first demonstrate internal democratic discipline.
Hayatu-Deen also expressed gratitude to his supporters and campaign team for their efforts throughout the race, while urging Nigerians to maintain hope for a better 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,” he said.
He added that although his campaign has ended, the broader task of building “a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Nigeria” remains a shared responsibility.
Tijani Abdulkareem is a young talented and immensely creative journalist and content writer with an absolute commitment to high-quality research, writing and dedication to sound investigative research methods, with a strong desire to know the truth of every matter to promote journalism.
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