The African Democratic Congress screened former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen on Wednesday as it narrows the field for its 2027 presidential nomination.
Both men went through the party's vetting process ahead of the primary election that will select the ADC's flag-bearer for the general elections. The screening marks a critical moment for the party as it prepares to field a candidate against the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times and came closest in 2019 when he ran as the PDP's candidate, brings decades of experience in Nigerian politics. He served as Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and has maintained a visible political presence even after leaving office. His entry into the ADC represents another attempt to reach the presidency after his unsuccessful 2023 bid.
Hayatu-Deen, a businessman and former managing director of the defunct Guaranty Trust Bank, comes from the private sector. He has positioned himself as an outsider candidate bringing fresh perspectives to governance. His background in finance and business contrasts sharply with Atiku's career in public service.
The ADC's screening process typically examines candidates' academic credentials, financial standing, and vision for the country. The party uses the exercise to ensure its nominee has the capacity and resources to run a credible presidential campaign.
Both candidates will now await the party's decision on who advances to the primary or whether the party will allow both to contest. The ADC has not announced when it will conduct its primary election or whether other candidates will also be screened.
The party has been positioning itself as an alternative to the major political parties, seeking to attract voters dissatisfied with both the APC and PDP. With nearly three years until the 2027 election, multiple candidates will likely emerge from different parties before the nomination processes conclude.
