Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and an ADC leader, has stated that he has “no retreat, no surrender” in his intention to run for president in 2027 on the ADC’s platform.
This was said by Amaechi, who was also Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022, in an interview with reporters in Kano following a meeting with a group of the state’s traders. He emphasized that he would not step down for any candidate and stressed that the ADC primary race be open.
Amaechi stated, “I will contest the ADC presidential primary, and by God’s grace, I hope to win so that I can face Tinubu in 2027,” in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that our correspondent in Kaduna watched on Thursday.
“I’m not resigning for anyone. “Let the people choose their leaders,” Amaechi said.
The former minister described the race as beneficial for internal democracy and insisted that all party candidates had the right to run for office.
Amaechi criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, claiming that Nigerians were unhappy with its policies and management style.
“Whether the government wants to conduct credible elections or not, one thing is certain—time is up. Nigerians are tired because no one is happy under Tinubu, not even in Rivers or across the South. He tries to frame it as a North-South contest, but the truth is people are suffering everywhere,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu’s appointments have not reflected genuine inclusion. “Even among the Yoruba, many feel excluded. He only rewards a few individuals close to him, while the majority remain neglected,” Amaechi alleged.
Responding to questions on whether the ADC, like the APC and PDP, might zone its presidential ticket to the South, Amaechi said: “That is a party decision. I am just a member. Whatever the party decides, I will abide by it. But as far as I am concerned, I am in the race.”
Amaechi went on to say that he was still among the nation’s most qualified candidates. Tell me honestly, if you look at all the aspirants, including Tinubu, who is more prepared than I am. We are not at odds with the South-East, South-West, or even the North; I’m from the South. “Unity is what my candidacy offers,” he said.
The former governor denied the assertions made by certain political analysts that Amaechi’s power in Rivers politics has diminished as a result of Nyesom Wike, his longtime opponent and current FCT Minister, taking control of the country.
“The crowd was enormous from the airport to the venue when I recently traveled to Rivers to launch the ADC, and no one paid a single kobo for that mobilization. That ought to give you some idea of the public’s sentiment,” he continued.
