FORMER Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he joined the 2027 presidential race because he believes he has the capacity to lead Nigeria, insisting that he is not contesting to negotiate for a vice-presidential position.
Amaechi made the remarks in Abuja during a media interview monitored by News Point Nigeria on Tuesday as he, alongside Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, prepares for screening on Wednesday under the ADC’s revised timetable.
Addressing speculations surrounding possible consensus arrangements within the party ahead of the presidential primaries, the former Minister of Transportation dismissed reports suggesting that talks were ongoing.
“All those are media concepts, as far as I know, there is nothing like consensus for now. The party leaders have not had any meeting on that. Everybody is preparing for the primary election,” he said.
Amaechi also ruled out any possibility of stepping down for another aspirant or accepting a vice-presidential slot under any arrangement within the opposition coalition.
“Please stop that. I did not buy form to be vice president,” he stated.
The former Rivers governor argued that Nigeria’s current economic and governance challenges demand experienced but energetic leadership, noting that many leading political figures in the country are already advanced in age.
According to him, his political journey and previous public offices have equipped him with the administrative experience needed to govern the country effectively.
Amaechi cited his roles as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Minister of Transportation as part of the experience that prepared him for the presidency.
On the issue of zoning and national inclusion, he maintained that Nigeria’s political realities still make power rotation necessary, stressing that every region must feel a sense of belonging within the federation.
“If they have to be in Nigeria, then they must have a sense of belonging,” he said while speaking on grievances from the South-East.
Amaechi also dismissed claims that the ADC had become weakened following the exit of some opposition figures, insisting that the party remains a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
“If ADC was not strong, the government would not be focusing attention on it,” he said.
On governance, the former minister accused the current administration of weakening institutions and undermining the independence of elected officials, particularly state governors.
“For the first time, I’m criticizing governors,” Amaechi said. “In our time, governors had independence. Now, they are all scared.”
He further alleged that federal institutions were being deployed to frustrate opposition politicians and political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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 stated.
Amaechi also defended his role in the formation of the APC in 2013, insisting that the party emerged at the time as a response to prevailing governance concerns in the country.
He, however, expressed optimism that disagreements within the opposition coalition would eventually be resolved once parties conclude their primaries and candidates emerge ahead of the 2027 general elections.