Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims linking him to a possible vice-presidential ticket with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 elections. He emphasized that he is solely pursuing his own presidential ambition and will not serve as a running mate to anyone.
The clarification follows comments by Atiku ally, Dele Momodu, who suggested that Amaechi could be considered as a potential running mate if Peter Obi declines to join Atiku. Momodu praised Amaechi’s political influence, describing him as a key figure in President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 victory.
Responding through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi rejected any talk of collaboration aimed at making him a vice-presidential candidate. Iyofor said Amaechi believes it is Southern Nigeria’s turn to produce the next president and is therefore seeking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.
“Amaechi is not seeking to be a running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate and will not”, Iyofor stated.
“He is not aware of, and will not be part of, any discussion about being a running mate. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria, not a running mate to anyone. Politicians are kindly advised to leave his name out of any discussion regarding a presidential running mate”.
“If not for the coalition agreement, the answer to whether I’ll run as president would have been an outright yes”, Amaechi said.
This is not Amaechi’s first public declaration of intent to contest the ADC presidential ticket. In August, he vowed not to step down for any aspirant during the party’s primary, stressing that the people should decide the party’s flagbearer.
In July, he also stated that he would be willing to serve as a one-term president to promote power rotation and political stability if elected under the ADC.
