Former Minister of Transportation and prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected the outcome of the party’s presidential primaries, describing the results as “concocted” and lacking credibility.
Amaechi, in a strongly worded statement released after the conduct of the primaries, alleged that the exercise was marred by widespread voter disenfranchisement across the country.
According to him, a large percentage of party members were denied the opportunity to participate in the voting process, making the outcome unacceptable.
“I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi stated.
The former Rivers State governor said he had earlier made it clear that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent.
“I had initially stated that I will only accept the outcome of the Primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent, and I stand by my word,” he said.
Amaechi accused the party leadership of betraying the ideals upon which the ADC claims to stand, especially its promise to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to the ruling government.
He argued that the alleged irregularities witnessed during the exercise were no different from the electoral malpractice the opposition party often condemns.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he said.
He further criticized the party for allegedly engaging in practices such as vote buying, manipulation of results, and disenfranchisement of members.
“A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices,” Amaechi added.
The former presidential aspirant maintained that the ADC was created to provide a platform for ordinary Nigerians and amplify the voices of the downtrodden, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or social background.
His rejection of the primary results is expected to heighten tensions within the party as reactions continue to trail the conduct of the exercise.
