Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared confidence in securing the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may no longer have the electoral strength to win.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Monday night, Amaechi noted that although Atiku had repeatedly emerged victorious in party primaries over the years, he had struggled to translate those victories into success at the presidential polls.
Amaechi expressed hope that the upcoming ADC primary could mark the first time Atiku would lose a party ticket contest.
According to him, winning primaries alone is not enough, stressing that true political strength lies in the ability to secure victory during the general election.
The former Rivers governor argued that his own candidacy would offer Nigerians a fresh alternative since he had never contested for president before.
He said this gives him the advantage of entering the race without the burden of previous presidential defeats.
Despite the rivalry, Amaechi praised both Atiku and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying either of them would perform better than President Bola Tinubu if given the opportunity to lead the country.
He stated that he believed Atiku had the capacity to govern effectively, while also describing Obi as someone capable of delivering better leadership than the current administration.
Amaechi also accused President Tinubu of allowing ethnic considerations to influence governance, describing the President as tribalistic.
He contrasted Tinubu’s leadership style with that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as a nationalist who governed with a broader national outlook rather than ethnic interests.
Speaking on the issue of zoning, Amaechi said he supports power rotation because Nigeria is still battling challenges surrounding national unity and inclusiveness.
According to him, every ethnic group and region, including minority communities, must feel represented and carried along in the country’s political structure.
The former governor also addressed insecurity and growing discontent in the South-East, warning against any form of marginalisation.
He stressed that people from the region must feel fully accepted as Nigerians and be given equal opportunities within the federation.
Amaechi further explained that his governance agenda would prioritise national unity, educational development and equal opportunities across the country.
He added that improving educational infrastructure in northern Nigeria and addressing political grievances in the South-East would form key parts of his administration’s focus if elected.
His comments come ahead of the ADC presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general election.
Other major contenders in the race include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The ADC leadership has maintained that it has no preferred aspirant and may still explore a consensus arrangement before the primary election.
