The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reportedly selected former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Key Highlights:
- Atiku Abubakar reportedly picks Rotimi Amaechi as running mate.
- Reports say Amaechi has accepted the vice-presidential slot.
- Amaechi earlier contested the ADC presidential primary against Atiku.
- Tensions eased after Atiku reportedly met Amaechi for reconciliation.
- ADC is expected to announce the ticket officially soon.
The development was confirmed on Saturday by the immediate past ADC Chairman in Rivers State, Leader Sampson.
Speaking on the reported nomination, Sampson affirmed that Amaechi had accepted the vice-presidential slot.
Asked directly whether the former Rivers State governor had agreed to serve as Atiku’s running mate, Sampson responded, “Yes.”
Amaechi’s emergence as vice-presidential candidate comes months after he contested the ADC presidential primary against Atiku and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The primary election, conducted through a direct voting process involving millions of party members, saw Atiku secure a decisive victory with 1,855,787 votes. Amaechi finished second with 509,397 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 180,903 votes.
Before the primary, Amaechi had publicly stated that he did not purchase the ADC presidential nomination forms with the intention of becoming a vice-presidential candidate.
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Following the election, both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen raised concerns over the conduct of the exercise, alleging that the process had been manipulated in favour of Atiku.
However, political observers say tensions within the party appeared to ease after Atiku paid a reconciliation visit to Amaechi shortly after the primary.
During a meeting in Abuja, Atiku reportedly appealed for unity within the party and urged both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to work with him in building a strong opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Atiku stressed that the primary contest was not a battle between winners and losers but a collective effort aimed at strengthening the party and presenting an alternative vision for Nigeria.
With Amaechi’s reported acceptance of the vice-presidential nomination, the ADC leadership is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days.
