Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reportedly selected former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, as his running mate.
The development was confirmed on Saturday by the immediate past chairman of the ADC in Rivers State, Leader Sampson, who stated that Amaechi had accepted the vice-presidential role.
Amaechi had earlier contested in the party’s presidential primary but lost to the former vice president.
Before the primary election, the former Rivers State governor had stated publicly that he did not purchase the ADC presidential nomination form with the intention of later accepting a vice-presidential position.
He also strongly rejected the outcome of the primary election, amid claims by some aggrieved party members that the process was manipulated in favour of Atiku.
However, when asked whether Amaechi had now accepted the vice-presidential slot, Sampson responded in the affirmative, saying, “Yes.”
BACKSTORY…
The development comes months after growing political realignments within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key political figures seeking stronger alliances to challenge the ruling party.
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had initially pursued the ADC presidential ticket himself but lost to Atiku Abubakar during the party’s primary election.
Following the primary, Amaechi openly distanced himself from suggestions that he would settle for a vice-presidential role, insisting that he did not join the race merely to become a running mate. He also questioned the credibility of the primary process amid allegations by some party members that the election favoured Atiku.
Despite the earlier disagreement, fresh political negotiations within the party appear to have paved the way for reconciliation between both camps, with Amaechi now reportedly accepting the vice-presidential position as the ADC moves to strengthen its coalition ahead of the next election cycle.
