Otubanjo: Amaechi Not Fit to Contest Presidency

The Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, has expressed surprise that former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is seeking to become Nigeria’s president.

It was reported that Otubanjo said this during an interview on Arise News TV’s morning programme.

He said he was surprised by Amaechi’s presidential ambition, saying the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain did not have the political weight required for the race.

“I’m surprised Amaechi is having a problem to be a president. “The problem is that Nigerians take politics as incantation, when you say something repeatedly, you feel you can do it,” he said.

The political analyst said Amaechi should not have contested the ADC presidential primary against the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

In his words, the former Minister of Transportation lacked the necessary structure and influence to pose a significant threat in the race.

“Why should Amaechi bother himself?” Otubanjo asked.

He said the result of the primary clearly indicated Amaechi did not constitute any threat to Atiku’s ambition in the ADC.

Otubanjo also questioned Atiku’s ability to get strong backing from Southern Nigeria in the 2027 presidential election.

“The ADC has no high-profile politicians in the South who could help win meaningful votes for the former vice president,” he said.

He believes that Atiku’s chances could be undermined by the party’s fragile structure in the South.

“It was as if Amaechi was not at the primary. “At the moment, Atiku has no leg in the South,” he said.

The NIIA director also claimed the ADC had no strong southern politicians to give it a serious electoral advantage.

He said Amaechi was still the only prominent southern voice in the party, but maintained that the ex-Rivers governor would not bring much political value.

“There is no prominent ADC member from the South, except Amaechi but Amaechi is not an asset,” Otubanjo said.