KEY POINTS

• ADC has named former minister Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
• Atiku previously won the party’s primary, defeating Amaechi and another top contender.
• The party says the joint ticket is aimed at national unity, governance reform, and stronger electoral appeal.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially named former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made on Monday by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, bringing an end to weeks of speculation over who would join Atiku on the presidential ticket.

Atiku Abubakar emerged as the ADC presidential candidate after winning the party’s primary election held in May.

He secured 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who came second with 504,117 votes. Former FSB International Bank managing director, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, finished third with 177,120 votes.

Despite his loss in the primary, Amaechi has now been selected as Atiku’s running mate following internal consultations within the party.

Party Cites Broad Consultations for Decision

According to Bolaji Abdullahi, the decision was reached after extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth groups, women stakeholders, and representatives from all geopolitical zones.

He described Amaechi as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political leaders, noting that he enjoys strong support within the party across the country.

The party said the Atiku-Amaechi partnership represents more than a political alliance, describing it as a combination of two seasoned leaders with the experience required to address Nigeria’s challenges.

It added that the joint ticket is aimed at promoting national unity, economic recovery, improved security, and inclusive development.

According to the party, Amaechi’s experience in both the executive and legislative arms of government makes him a strong complement to Atiku’s candidacy.

Amaechi has had a long political career spanning different levels of government. He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022.

The ADC said his political influence, particularly in the South-South region, and his ability to build coalitions across ethnic and regional lines, were key factors in his selection.