2027: Showdown Looms In ADC As Amaechi Rejects Consensus Candidate, Calls Obi, Atiku Regional Candidates.

 

By Akanni Toba

 

From all indications, the internal politics that will produce the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential standard bearer promises to be a showdown among the real contenders for the party’s sole ticket.

 

 

 

This is as former minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi  said none of the aspirants of the ADC should be handed the party’s presidential ticket on a silver platter, demanding that the coalition’s standard bearer should emerge through a credible voting process rather than backroom agreements.

 

 

Amaechi noted that any move to impose a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 elections might cause disaffection in the ranks of the party, stressing that democracy must be held in the affairs of the opposition party.

 

He  even stressed that all other aspirants, except himself, are pursuing regional agenda.

 

The former Rivers State governor made these remarks during a chat with Channels TV.

 

Speaking on the possible emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerging as the party’s presidential candidate, Amaechi stated that the former number two citizen would have his support if  he won the primary fair and square.

 

 

 

He described Atiku as eminently qualified to run for president, adding that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for the country’s highest office regardless of zoning debates.

 

 

Amaechi stated that competence should be accorded priority over a candidate’s ethnicity or region dismissing North-South power rotation arrangement.

 

 

 

According to him, Nigeria needs a leader with the capacity and energy to tackle the country’s challenges.

 

 

The former Rivers State governor also cautioned Nigerians against voting based on religion or ethnicity, blaming such considerations for the country’s current situation.

 

He argued that economic realities affect all citizens equally, regardless of faith or background. Amaechi further criticised the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying economic hardship has worsened across the country.

 

 

He said, “It is within the right of the former vice president to say that he wants to run, nobody is stopping him. But he has to also understand that there are other factors beyond where he comes from.

 

 

“They are all regional candidates, but I am not a regional candidate. I’m not running because I’m Igbo, even though I’m partially one.

 

“I have said to Nigerians, leave region and ethnicity alone. That’s what put us here. Those who supported President Tinubu were pursuing religious agenda. They were so happy about the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

 

“Today, they have discovered that the market does not know Muslims or Christians. The market only understands naira and kobo, no other language.”

 

“Today, they have discovered that the market does not know Christians or Muslims. The market does not know that. The market understands just one language, Naira and Kobo. It doesn’t understand any other language. Now, everybody is suffering. Everybody is looking for food to eat,” he said.

 

Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Amaechi are considered the three main contenders for the ADC presidential ticket.

 

Though the recent defection of former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may significantly alter the dynamics in the opposition party.