Former Transportation Minister and ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi says he’s confident of clinching the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket for 2027, arguing that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may no longer be electable.
Speaking on Trust TV Monday night, Amaechi noted that while Atiku has a strong record of winning party primaries, he has consistently failed to win the presidential election.
“I listened when the former vice president said he never failed a primary before. I hope this will be the first time he will fail primary,” Amaechi said. “At all times that you have passed primary, you have not won an election. So it’s about electability.”
Amaechi pitched himself as a fresh option, pointing out that he has never run for president before. He also praised both Atiku and Peter Obi, saying either would govern better than President Bola Tinubu. He accused Tinubu of promoting ethnic bias in governance, contrasting it with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s nationalist approach.
On zoning, Amaechi said he supports it for now because Nigeria is still working toward national unity, and every region must feel included. He highlighted national integration, education, and addressing grievances in the South-East and North as key parts of his vision.
The ADC’s presidential primary is set for May 25, 2026. Other aspirants include Atiku and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with the party saying it has no preferred candidate yet.