Former minister of transportation and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he is fully committed to contesting the 2027 presidential election and has no intention of stepping down to become a running mate to any candidate.
Amaechi made the clarification on Tuesday while addressing speculations within opposition circles suggesting that he could be considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He dismissed such discussions, insisting that his ambition is strictly for the presidency and not a supporting role.
According to him, he entered the presidential race of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by purchasing the nomination form for the party’s top ticket, alongside Atiku Abubakar and businessman Hayatudeen Muhammed.
He stressed that no consensus arrangement has been reached among party stakeholders and that the contest remains open ahead of the primaries.
Amaechi stated that he would not accept any arrangement that places him as a deputy, saying clearly that his political future is tied to the presidency. He argued that Nigeria’s current governance challenges require experienced leadership with energy and capacity, noting that he possesses such experience from his years in public service.
He further referenced his political background as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Minister of Transportation, saying these roles have prepared him for national leadership.
According to him, the party must allow a transparent primary process rather than relying on informal negotiations.
On internal party dynamics, Amaechi maintained that the ADC remains strong and capable of competing in the 2027 elections despite the withdrawal of some opposition figures from the race. He said political parties should be judged by their ideas and structure, not by speculation or external pressure.
He also addressed ongoing debates around zoning, describing it as an important factor in Nigeria’s political arrangement. However, he emphasised that inclusivity and fairness across regions must be prioritised to ensure national unity. He noted that every part of the country deserves a sense of belonging within the federation.
The former minister also took aim at the current political environment, alleging that opposition parties are facing pressure and institutional challenges ahead of the next general election. He claimed that federal influence is being used to weaken opposition structures, although he maintained respect for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while disagreeing with his administration’s governance approach.
Amaechi insisted that his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 remains part of his political history, saying the party was created in response to governance concerns at the time.
He added that despite political disagreements, he remains confident that opposition forces will eventually reorganise and present a strong challenge in 2027.
Meanwhile, the presidential screening process of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has continued in Abuja, with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi appearing before the party’s screening panel.
Obi, who is currently the sole aspirant for the NDC presidential ticket following a series of withdrawals and adjustments within the party’s nomination process, submitted his expression of interest documents through an aide during the screening exercise.
The NDC has constituted a 17-member screening committee chaired by Senator Sam Egwu, tasked with vetting aspirants for presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative positions ahead of the general elections.
The party said the exercise is part of efforts to ensure credible candidates emerge for the 2027 polls. The party’s national leadership has also warned that the coming election season will be highly competitive, describing it as a “political war” that requires preparedness from all contenders as campaigns intensify across the country.
