I Will Contest ADC Presidential Primary, Amaechi Insists

FORMER governor of Rivers State and aspirant in the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, Rotimi Amaechi, has restated his desire to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The immediate past minister of Transportation, who disclosed this on Wednesday, August 27, while speaking to journalists in Kano State after a meeting with a coalition of traders, vowed not to step down for any aspirant in the party’s primary election.
He insisted: “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.”
He stressed that the ADC must conduct an open contest to strengthen its internal democracy, saying Nigerians are dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s policies, which he said have brought untold hardship on the people across the country.
He stated: “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. People are suffering everywhere.”
Pointing out that the Tinubu government has not reflected genuine inclusion, Amaechi alleged that only a few individuals close to the President had been rewarded, thereby leaving many others across regions dissatisfied.
On the possibility of zoning in the ADC, he said such decision restsed with the party leadership, adding that he would remain in the race regardless of the outcome, noting that he is one of the most qualified contenders in the country.
“If you look at all those aspiring, including Tinubu, who is better prepared than I am? My candidacy offers unity, because I come from the South, and we are not in conflict with any region,” he enthused.
Amaechi dismissed suggestions that his political base- Rivers State- has been weakened by the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, saying: “Recently, when I visited Rivers to inaugurate the ADC, the turnout was massive, from the airport to the venue, and nobody paid for that mobilisation.
“That should tell you where the people stand.”