The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has selected a former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, running with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on what party leaders described as a “unity and rescue ticket.”
The emergence of Amaechi was as a result of wide consultations within the party, and informed by his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries, and his record of service to his State and the country, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement sent on Monday.
The ADC says Amaechi’s vast experience in the legislature and executive, having been Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, uniquely places him to complement Atiku’s leadership, broaden the party’s national appeal and strengthen its campaign to offer Nigerians an experienced and credible alternative in the 2027 presidential election.
“The Atiku/Amaechi ticket is more than a political alliance,” Abdullahi said in the statement. “It is the coming together of two proven statesmen who have the experience, national spread and leadership capacity required to rescue our country from its current predicament and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.
The complete statement said:
The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders and representatives of all geopolitical zones is proud to announce that the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been chosen as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of our great party for the 2027 Presidential Election.
“This recommendation follows the successful conclusion of the ADC Presidential Primaries where Rt. Hon. Amaechi was the first runner up and received wide support from party members across the federation, thus demonstrating his enduring appeal as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and respected political leaders.
“The partnership being proposed between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is not just a political alliance but a coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach and leadership capacity to rescue Nigeria from its present challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.
“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is providing this ticket one of the most comprehensive records of public service in modern Nigerian political history; He has experience in all major aspects of democratic governance. He was Nigeria’s longest serving Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the Fourth Republic and one of the longest serving leaders of the legislature. He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State, where he oversaw major investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and public sector reforms. He served as a national Minister of Transportation, leading some of Nigeria’s most ambitious transportation and rail modernization projects in history.
There are not many political leaders in Nigeria today who have such a wide and well-rounded experience in both the legislature and executive arms of government. This experience will be a huge asset in assisting the next ADC administration from day one.
“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a man with an impressive credential and a strategic addition to the ticket. His clout in the South-South and across Southern Nigeria, his reputation as a reformist administrator and his proven ability to build coalitions across political, ethnic and regional divides make him a unique addition to the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar.
“Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi together present a genuinely national ticket that cuts across regions, generations and political traditions. With their combined experience in governance, economic management, public administration, party organization and nation building Nigerians have a credible and compelling alternative that can restore confidence in government and accelerate national development.
“The Atiku-Amaechi ticket is a clear signal that the ADC is ready to govern, to unite the nation and to deliver results when millions of Nigerians are clamouring for competent leadership, economic revival, job creation, security and national unity.
“The leadership of the ADC believes this partnership will galvanize our growing coalition, inspire hope among Nigerians and provide the leadership needed to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The ADC therefore calls on all party members, coalition partners, civil society organizations, youth groups, women leaders, and Nigerians of goodwill to join us as we embark on this historic journey of renewing our nation and securing a better future for generations to come.
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