By Osordi Ayomide
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has downplayed the electoral strength of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, insisting their previous vote tallies do not guarantee future victory.
Although Atiku and Obi each polled over six million votes in the 2023 presidential election, Amaechi questioned the durability of that support base.
“If they truly have those numbers, why haven’t those supporters moved to the ADC? Why do we have far fewer registered members?” he asked.
According to him, electoral success goes beyond figures, stressing that both men have already been tested and failed to defeat President Bola Tinubu. “They have not been able to defeat Tinubu. Only someone who knows how to defeat him should run,” he added.
Amaechi also weighed in on the zoning debate, reacting to claims that Atiku’s northern origin strengthens his candidacy. “If being from the North is the qualification, then the North should vote for him and the South shouldn’t,” he stated.
His remarks highlight deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition as political actors begin positioning for the 2027 race. Analysts warn that without a united front, opposition parties may struggle to mount a serious challenge against the incumbent.
