Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he remains fully in the race for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing suggestions that he should step down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Amaechi made the clarification on Tuesday following speculation over possible consensus arrangements within the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, no agreement has been reached by party leaders regarding consensus candidacy.
“There is nothing like consensus for now. The party leaders have not had any meeting on that. Everybody is preparing for the primary election,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar and businessman Hayatudeen Muhammed had obtained nomination forms to contest the ADC presidential ticket following the withdrawal of other aspirants, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The former Rivers governor also firmly rejected talks of accepting a vice-presidential slot under any political arrangement.
“Please stop that. I did not buy a form to be Vice President,” he stated.
Amaechi argued that Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges require experienced but energetic leadership, stressing that his years in public office have prepared him for the presidency.
He cited his experience as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Minister of Transportation as evidence of his administrative competence.
On zoning and national inclusion, Amaechi maintained that power rotation remains necessary in Nigeria’s political structure to ensure fairness and unity.
“If they have to be in Nigeria, then they must have a sense of belonging,” he said while addressing concerns about political representation in the Southeast.
His remarks contrast with Atiku’s position that competence, rather than regional considerations, should determine who becomes president.
Amaechi also dismissed claims that the ADC had been weakened by the exit of some opposition figures, insisting the party remains a strong platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If ADC was not strong, the government would not be focusing attention on it,” he said.
The former minister further accused the current administration of weakening democratic institutions and intimidating opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
“For the first time, I’m criticising governors. In our time, governors had independence. Now, they are all scared,” he said.
He also alleged that federal institutions were being used against opposition politicians and parties.
“The president wakes up in the morning and he’s worried about ADC. He’s fighting ADC, arresting ADC members,” Amaechi alleged.
Despite his criticism of the administration, Amaechi said he still holds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in high regard.
“I have high regard for President Tinubu, but I do not agree with the way the country is being governed,” he said.
Amaechi also defended his role in the formation of the APC in 2013, saying the party emerged in response to governance concerns at the time.
He expressed confidence that disagreements within the opposition coalition would eventually be resolved after parties conclude their primary elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
