ADC Picks Amaechi as Atiku’s Running Mate for 2027 Presidential Election

By Emmanuel Kwada

The African Democratic Congress has announced the selection of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the vice-presidential candidate to run alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following what the party described as extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women groups, and stakeholders from across the country’s geopolitical zones.

According to the ADC, Amaechi’s emergence as the vice-presidential nominee followed the successful conclusion of the party’s presidential primaries, where he finished as runner-up and reportedly secured broad support from party members nationwide.

The party said the Atiku-Amaechi ticket represents the convergence of two experienced political figures whose combined leadership credentials, national reach, and governance experience position them to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

In the statement, the ADC described the proposed alliance as more than a political arrangement, characterizing it as a partnership aimed at restoring national confidence, strengthening institutions, and accelerating economic and social development.

“Amaechi brings to this ticket one of the most comprehensive public service records in contemporary Nigerian politics,” the statement said.

The party highlighted Amaechi’s extensive political career, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, making him one of the longest-serving legislative leaders in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State, where he oversaw projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public sector reforms.

At the federal level, Amaechi also served as Minister of Transportation, spearheading major rail and transportation projects that formed part of the Federal Government’s infrastructure modernization agenda.

The ADC argued that few political figures possess comparable experience across both the legislative and executive branches of government, adding that such experience would be valuable in supporting a future administration from its inception.

Beyond his governance credentials, the party said Amaechi’s political influence across the South-South region and wider Southern Nigeria makes him a strategic choice capable of broadening the appeal of the presidential ticket.

The statement further described the Atiku-Amaechi pairing as a “truly national ticket” capable of bridging regional, political, and generational divides while offering Nigerians what it termed a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the ADC, the ticket combines extensive experience in governance, economic management, public administration, political organization, and nation-building.

The party maintained that the partnership comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly demanding solutions to economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, and governance challenges.

“The Atiku-Amaechi ticket sends a clear message that the ADC is prepared to govern, prepared to unite the nation, and prepared to deliver results,” the statement added.

The ADC leadership expressed confidence that the ticket would energize its growing coalition and attract support from a broad spectrum of Nigerians seeking political change.

The party also called on its members, coalition partners, civil society organizations, youth groups, women leaders, and other stakeholders to support what it described as a historic effort to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria.

The announcement is expected to further reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections as parties continue consultations and coalition-building efforts in preparation for the highly anticipated contest.