ADC Primaries: Atiku not electable, can’t defeat Tinubu — Amaechi

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed confidence in his chances of securing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, while questioning the long-standing electoral strength of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Monday night, Amaechi said Atiku’s repeated success in party primaries had not translated into victory at the general elections, suggesting that the pattern raises concerns about his broader electability.

“I listened when the former vice president said he never failed a primary before. I hope this will be the first time he will fail primary,” Amaechi said.

“The issue is that at all times that you have passed primary, you have not won an election. So it’s about electability.”

Amaechi added that his own presidential ambition offers a new political option since he has never previously contested for the presidency.

“I’ve never run. If nothing else, I can argue that I’ve never run any presidential election,” he said.

While making his case, the former minister praised both Atiku and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, stating that either of them would perform better than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if elected.

“If you give this country to Vice President Atiku to govern, I believe he would do well. Just as I think Governor Obi would do well. Honestly, both of them would do better than President Tinubu,” Amaechi said.

He, however, accused President Tinubu of promoting ethnic considerations in governance, contrasting his leadership style with that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as a “huge nationalist.”

On the issue of zoning, Amaechi said he supports the principle, noting that Nigeria is still grappling with questions of national unity and balance in political representation.

“The answer is yes and no. Yes in the sense that the country, for now, is yet to be found as a united entity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has constituted key committees ahead of its presidential primary. Former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, will head the Presidential Screening Committee, while former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, will chair the Presidential Election Committee.

Other members of the screening committee include Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum (Secretary), Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Prof. David Salifu, and retired Col. Abubakar Ali Ciroma.

The Presidential Election Committee also includes Prof. Yisa Gana (Secretary), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Jalingo, Dr Auwalu Anwar, Chief Emenike Ikechi, Dr Macaulay Iyare, Tajudeen Bakare, Elder Ubolo Itodo Okpanachi, Zainab Buba Galadima, Uzoamaka Onyeama, and Maj.-Gen Muhammad Inuwa Idris.

The party further set up a Presidential Appeals Committee chaired by Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, with Barr. Ken Imasuagbon as Secretary, and Barr. Dare Okerade as member, saying the arrangement is aimed at ensuring transparency, credibility, and internal democracy in its primaries.

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