Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State governor, has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to prioritise competence and elect a viable presidential candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the ADC convention in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi warned that internal divisions and identity politics could derail the opposition’s chances of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling party.
“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 stressed that the opposition must focus on electability rather than ethnic or religious considerations, arguing that such sentiments had previously weakened political coalitions in Nigeria.
“When we joined APC before 2015, we searched for a viable candidate, and we succeeded. Ethnicity and religion will only take us back to where we started.”
Amaechi insisted that only a credible, broadly acceptable candidate could unify the opposition and pose a real electoral threat to Tinubu in 2027.
He also accused the current administration of undermining democratic freedoms, particularly the opposition’s ability to organise politically.
On the ADC convention preparations, the party had earlier alleged it was denied access to key venues in Abuja, including the Eagle Square and Moshood Abiola National Stadium, forcing it to relocate to the Rainbow Event Centre.
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi further alleged that pressure was mounted on the management of the facilities to cancel the party’s booking.
Reacting to the situation, Amaechi questioned what he described as attempts to obstruct political assembly.
“Why would a government official try to deny people their constitutional right to gather?”
He also criticised President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, referencing his past role in pro-democracy activism.
“How can someone (Tinubu) 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 former minister referenced the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a pro-democracy movement formed in 1994 to oppose military rule and demand the handover of power following the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Amaechi further alleged that public institutions were being deployed against citizens and opposition groups, warning that Nigeria was facing worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
“The situation is bad; it is terrible,” he said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
