Southern ADC Leaders Declare Support for Amaechi's Presidential Ambitions

Several prominent leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the South-South geopolitical zone have officially declared their support for Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation. This backing is seen as a strategic move that could intensify the competition for the ADC's presidential nomination for the 2027 general elections, potentially challenging other leading southern contenders, including Peter Obi.

The announcement was made by John Odigie-Oyegun, a notable figure within the party and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He revealed this development on Friday following a consultative meeting of ADC South-South leaders held in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

Odigie-Oyegun explained that Amaechi used the occasion to formally communicate his intention to vie for the nation's presidency. He stated that the leaders present responded with a unified decision to back his ambition.

"We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation," Odigie-Oyegun remarked.

He continued, "We were very pleased. We thanked him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone for not letting loose in this zone, for setting up his own personal structures, for ensuring like every good son that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it."

"We are pleased and I cannot report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition."

Odigie-Oyegun also indicated that the leaders plan to convene regularly to share insights and experiences, aiming to position the South-South zone as a model for emulation by other regions across the country.

This development comes after Amaechi declared in July 2025 his willingness to serve a single term if he clinches the ADC presidential ticket and wins the subsequent election.

He has consistently advocated for the party to nominate a candidate from the Southern part of Nigeria, aligning with the principle of power rotation. Amaechi has argued that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure before power shifts back to the North, cautioning that nominating a northerner could diminish the ADC's appeal in southern states.

In the 2022 presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Amaechi secured the second position behind President Bola Tinubu, despite several other aspirants stepping down for Tinubu.

The endorsement from the South-South leadership is anticipated to spur further negotiations and political realignments within the ADC as the party approaches its presidential primaries for the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stipulated a timeframe for party primaries for the next general election, set between April 23 and May 30, 2026. However, the ADC has expressed strong reservations about this schedule, accusing INEC of providing an unfair advantage to the ruling party.

Bolaji Abdullahi, an ADC spokesperson, described the election timetable as creating an "almost impossible hurdle" that could hinder opposition parties from presenting candidates. He also highlighted Section 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, which states that any party failing to submit its membership register within the specified period will be ineligible to field candidates, a provision the party views as exclusionary rather than administrative.