FORMER Minister of Transportation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he will not withdraw from the race for the 2027 presidency, insisting that he is prepared to challenge President Bola Tinubu at the polls.
Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, made this known on Thursday in Kano while addressing journalists after a meeting with a coalition of traders.
In a separate interview with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored by News Point Nigeria, Amaechi was emphatic about his political ambition.
“I will contest the ADC presidential primary, and by God’s grace, I hope to win so that I can face Tinubu in 2027.
“I am not stepping down for anyone. Let the people decide who they want to lead,” Amaechi declared.
Amaechi stressed that the ADC presidential ticket was open to all aspirants, describing the contest as a healthy expression of internal democracy.
He explained that his aspiration was not about personal ambition alone but about giving Nigerians an alternative to what he described as an administration that has left citizens across regions “tired and unhappy.”
On the current state of the nation, Amaechi was blunt in his assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
The former minister also faulted Tinubu’s style of appointments, accusing him of exclusion and favoritism.
“Even among the Yoruba, many feel excluded. He only rewards a few individuals close to him, while the majority remain neglected,” he added.
When asked whether the ADC might adopt zoning like the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amaechi said he would respect the party’s decision.
“That is a party’s 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,” he stated.
The former Rivers governor argued that among all the likely contenders, he remained the most prepared to govern Nigeria.
“If you look at all those aspiring, including Tinubu, tell me honestly, who is better prepared than I am? I come from the South-South, and we are not in conflict with the South-East, South-West, or even the North. My candidacy offers unity,” he said.
He also pointed to the enthusiasm that greeted his recent visit to Rivers State, where he inaugurated the ADC structures.
“The turnout was massive, from the airport to the venue, and nobody paid a kobo for that mobilisation. That should tell you something about where the people stand,” Amaechi added.
Amaechi, who previously contested the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 but lost to Tinubu, defected to the African Democratic Congress earlier this year to pursue his presidential ambition.