Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has expressed confidence in his chances of securing the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, saying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may no longer be electorally viable.
Speaking in an interview on Trust TV on Monday night, Amaechi stated that although Atiku had consistently won party primaries, he had failed to convert them into presidential victories.
“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.
He added, “The issue is that at all times that you have passed primary, you have not won an election. So it’s about electability.”
Amaechi noted that his own candidacy would present a fresh option to voters because he had never previously contested a presidential election.
“I’ve never run. If nothing else, I can argue that I’ve never run any presidential election,” he said.
The former transport minister, however, praised both Atiku and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying they would govern Nigeria better than President Bola Tinubu if elected.
“If you give this country to Vice President Atiku to govern, I believe he would do well. Just as I think Governor Obi would do well. Honestly, both of them would do better than President Tinubu,” Amaechi said.
He also accused Tinubu of advocating for ethnic considerations in governance, asserting that the president was “tribalistic.” He contrasted his approach with that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as “a huge nationalist.”
“He’s a Nigerian president. He’s not a Yoruba president,” Amaechi said of Obasanjo.
Speaking on zoning, Amaechi said he supported the principle only because Nigeria was still struggling with national unity.
“The answer is yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the country, for now, is yet to be found as a united entity,” he said, while insisting that every region and minority group in the country must have a sense of belonging.
The ADC chieftain also spoke on insecurity and regional grievances, particularly in the South-East, warning against marginalization.
“If they have to be in Nigeria, then they must be part of Nigeria. They must have a sense of belonging that they are Nigerians,” he said.
Amaechi went on to say that his model for administration would prioritize national integration, education, and equal opportunities across regions, such as strengthening educational facilities in northern Nigeria and addressing concerns in the South-East.
His words come as the African Democratic Congress prepares for its presidential primary on May 25, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Other significant candidates in the campaign include Atiku and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with the party stating that it has no preferred candidate and may consider a consensual agreement before the primary.
