Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is reportedly set to choose former Transport Minister Chibuike Amaechi as his running mate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The development follows weeks of negotiations within the opposition coalition and, if confirmed, would create an Atiku-Amaechi (“AA”) ticket designed to balance the North-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
The move comes after the departure of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the ADC to the rival NDC platform, where both politicians are reportedly preparing a joint ticket for the 2027 race.
Political observers see Atiku’s decision as a significant departure from the events leading to the 2023 election, when he overlooked former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike despite Wike finishing as runner-up in the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary.
Although Amaechi had previously dismissed suggestions that he was positioning himself for a vice-presidential slot, sources close to the former minister said he eventually accepted the role after consultations with influential political leaders from the North-West and South-South regions. According to the sources, Atiku assured him of a prominent role in both the campaign and a potential future administration.
Meanwhile, ADC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze dismissed claims by party stalwart Dele Momodu that Amaechi had rejected the vice-presidential position. Eze described the remarks as a personal opinion capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party, insisting that Amaechi had only stated that no formal offer had been made to him at the time.
Separately, Atiku used his Democracy Day message to accuse President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining the ideals of June 12.
In a statement personally signed to commemorate Democracy Day, Atiku urged Nigerians to resist bad governance, political intimidation and what he described as democratic backsliding.
He argued that the sacrifices made during the June 12 struggle would lose meaning unless citizens remained vigilant in defending democratic freedoms. According to him, opposition parties have faced increasing pressure over the past three years through leadership crises, defections and alleged misuse of state institutions.
The former vice president further alleged that agencies responsible for law enforcement and accountability, as well as sections of the legislature and judiciary, have increasingly been used to weaken opposition voices and encourage defections to the ruling party.
