The former Minister of Transportation and erstwhile Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has called upon the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to nominate a formidable presidential candidate capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Tuesday at the ADC National Convention in Abuja, Mr Amaechi urged the party’s delegates to transcend ethnic and religious sentiments, warning that such divisions would only stifle the progress of a potential opposition coalition.
In a blunt assessment of the current political climate, Mr Amaechi expressed profound scepticism regarding the likelihood of a seamless transition of power from the incumbent administration.
“If you think President Tinubu will hand over power to you, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together and decide on a viable candidate,” he asserted. Drawing a parallel with the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the 2015 elections, he noted: “When we joined APC, we searched for a viable candidate, and we succeeded. Ethnicity and religion will only take us back to where we started.”
The convention, which was held at the Rainbow Event Centre, was overshadowed by allegations of government interference. On Monday, the ADC claimed it had been denied access to its original venues, Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Even after relocating to a private facility, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, alleged that management had been pressured by government officials to cancel the booking. Mr Amaechi condemned these developments, questioning the democratic record of the President.
“Why would a government official try to deny people their constitutional right to gather?” he asked. “How can someone who claims to be a democrat and once aligned with NADECO now act against democratic principles? If that is what they stood for, then it amounts to an attempt to punish Nigerians.”
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was famously established in 1994 to challenge the military regime of Sani Abacha and advocate for the restoration of the June 12, 1993, election results a movement with which President Tinubu was historically associated.
Mr Amaechi did not mince words regarding the current administration’s performance, accusing the government of weaponising public institutions against the citizenry. He highlighted the dual crises of escalating insecurity and economic volatility as evidence of administrative failure.
“The situation is bad; it is terrible,” the former Minister remarked, lamenting that the government had failed to provide tangible solutions to the hardships facing the average Nigerian.
The former Governor’s appearance at the ADC convention has sparked fresh speculation regarding the emergence of a multi-party coalition ahead of the 2027 polls. His insistence on a “viable” and “secular” approach to candidacy suggests a strategic push to replicate the success of the 2015 opposition merger, even as he warns of a significantly more challenging political environment.
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