How Amaechi Emerged South-South ADC Presidential Candidate

A major political ripple emerged in the South-South on Friday following what appeared to be a unanimous endorsement of the presidential ambition of former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, by zonal leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a consultative meeting in Benin, Edo State.

Amaechi, who came second in the 2022 All Progressives Congress presidential primary that produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had visited the leaders to formally inform them of his decision to seek the ADC’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

The meeting, hosted at the residence of former party chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, was described as Amaechi’s deliberate move to begin his consultations from his geopolitical base.

According to the ADC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Usani Uguru Usani, Amaechi told the gathering that it was proper to start the race by meeting leaders from his home zone to seek their blessing before proceeding to other regions.

He highlighted what he called his proven record of service and capacity to lead Nigeria at a challenging moment in its national history.

Usani, in his remarks, underscored the need for unity in the South-South, noting that it was a privilege for the region to have a highly accomplished figure showing interest in the race.

Several other leaders, including ADC Deputy National Chairman Andrew Uchendu, former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke, and economist Pat Utomi, also spoke at the meeting, expressing support for stronger regional coordination ahead of the party’s nomination process.

A moment of drama unfolded when Oyegun, who chaired the session, called for a motion on whether the zone should back Amaechi’s aspiration.

Dissatisfied with how Uchendu initially framed the motion, he restated it himself and called for a voice vote. A resounding “Aye” followed, with no audible “Nay,” prompting observers to interpret the response as a unanimous affirmation of Amaechi’s bid.

But the development soon triggered a wave of internal clarifications. In a statement issued yesterday, the ADC deputy national publicity secretary, Jackie Wayas, denied that any presidential aspirant had been endorsed during the meeting.

She explained that although Amaechi formally informed the leaders of his intention, the gathering was primarily convened to strengthen party unity in the region.

She insisted that the consultations should not be misconstrued as an endorsement, stressing that “engagement does not amount to adoption.”

The party further clarified that no formal motion was introduced and no vote was taken in a manner recognized by ADC procedures.

It dismissed suggestions that senior figures such as Oyegun acted outside the party’s democratic norms, describing such claims as implausible.

While the ADC reaffirmed that only constitutionally recognized organs of the party can nominate or endorse candidates, the enthusiastic voice vote, symbolic or otherwise, has continued to generate debate within the party over whether the South-South has already signalled a preference heading into the 2027 presidential race.

The meeting ended with leaders pledging to intensify efforts toward building a stronger, more united ADC across the region and the country ahead of the next general election.