By Ezekiel Marshal
Former Minister of Transportation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has expressed confidence of clinching the ADC 2027 presidential ticket.
Speaking with a group of supporters and journalists, Amaechi expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to clinch the ADC’s nomination, positioning himself as the most qualified candidate in a burgeoning field of opposition contenders.
Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State, anchored his bid on what he termed unrivaled institutional knowledge and a career defined by high-stakes executive leadership.
He dismissed concerns over internal party rivalry, asserting that his track record as a Speaker, a two-term Governor, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and a federal minister provides him with the unique capacity required to navigate Nigeria’s complex socioeconomic landscape.
“I am the most experienced among all aspirants,” Amaechi stated. “I led the opposition that defeated an incumbent president for the first time in our history. That experience is critical today.”
He also urged the electorate and party delegates to prioritize capacity over age, suggesting that the challenges facing the nation are too demanding for a leadership that lacks the vigor for hands-on governance.
Even in the event of a primary loss, Amaechi pledged his loyalty to the ADC, vowing to remain within the party to strengthen the burgeoning opposition coalition that now reportedly includes figures such as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.
Amaechi, who recently participated in national protests against the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic result transmission, alleged that the current government has drifted toward authoritarianism.
He claimed that state institutions and security agencies are being deployed to suppress dissent and intimidate critics, a move he described as a betrayal of the democratic ideals the President once championed.
Addressing his 2023 exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amaechi clarified that his departure was a matter of principle rather than grievance.
He noted that he had worked closely with the President in the past and had concluded, based on that experience, that the capacity for national transformation was absent.
“What is happening today has only confirmed my position. If I believe that someone lacks the capacity to govern, remaining in that party would make me dishonest,” Amaechi remarked.
