Trending 
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to field a credible presidential candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the party’s convention in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi urged members to set aside ethnic and religious considerations, warning that such factors could weaken the party’s chances of building a strong coalition.
He stressed that the party must unite around a candidate with broad appeal, drawing parallels with the build-up to the 2015 elections when, he said, a similar strategy helped secure victory.
“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,” Amaechi said.
“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 also accused the current administration of undermining opposition activities, following reports that the ADC faced difficulties securing venues for its convention.
He questioned attempts to restrict political gatherings, arguing that such actions contradict democratic principles and the rights of citizens to freely assemble.
“Why would a government official try to deny people their constitutional right to gather?
“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.”
Referencing Nigeria’s pro-democracy history, he suggested that recent developments raise concerns about the commitment to democratic values.
The former Rivers State governor further criticised the government’s handling of insecurity and economic challenges, describing the current situation as severe and in need of urgent attention.
“The situation is bad; it is terrible,” Amaechi said.
