Rotimi Amaechi has declared he will not step down from the 2027 presidential race under ADC.
He insisted on open primaries, vowing to contest fairly and criticizing Tinubu’s administration for hardship.
Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he will not withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, insisting on an open and transparent primary within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Kano and later in a BBC Hausa Service interview, Amaechi stressed that no aspirant should be compelled to step aside. He emphasized that the party’s ticket must be contested fairly.
“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 said.
Amaechi, who served as Minister of Transportation between 2015 and 2022, maintained that internal competition would strengthen the ADC’s democratic credentials. He also argued that he remains one of the most qualified candidates, citing his experience, political network, and grassroots support nationwide.
On zoning, he explained that the decision rests with the party leadership but reiterated his determination to run regardless of how the ticket is structured. “That is a party decision. I will abide by whatever is agreed, but as far as I am concerned, I am in the race,” he stated.
Amaechi also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, criticizing what he described as exclusionary appointments and policies that have deepened economic hardship.
“Nigerians are tired because no one is happy under Tinubu, not even in Rivers or across the South. He tries to frame it as a North-South contest, but the truth is people are suffering everywhere,” he argued.
He accused the government of rewarding only a small circle of loyalists while sidelining broader ethnic and political representation, including within the Yoruba bloc.
Despite suggestions that his influence in Rivers’ politics has diminished due to the dominance of his longtime rival, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Amaechi dismissed such claims. He pointed to the large crowds that welcomed him during a recent visit to inaugurate ADC activities in the state.
“My visit to Rivers showed massive support. The turnout was spontaneous, and nobody paid for mobilization. That speaks volumes about the people’s position,” he said.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Amaechi’s declaration positions him among key opposition figures challenging the ruling APC, while also sharpening debates around zoning, party primaries, and the quest for credible alternatives.
