Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly settled on former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, as his vice-presidential candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The development follows weeks of intense consultations within the opposition coalition and, if officially confirmed, would produce an Atiku-Amaechi ticket for the January 16, 2027, presidential poll.
Political observers view the choice as a strategic move aimed at balancing the ticket geographically, pairing Atiku from the North-East with Amaechi from the South-South. The decision also comes amid growing competition among opposition blocs, particularly following the emergence of a rival alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Amaechi had previously dismissed suggestions that he was seeking the vice-presidential position. After obtaining and submitting his ₦90 million presidential nomination form, the former Rivers State governor maintained that he was pursuing his own presidential ambition. He also opposed calls for a consensus arrangement, insisting on a direct primary process.
However, sources close to the former minister indicated that he eventually accepted the offer after extensive consultations and assurances from Atiku and influential political figures. According to the sources, Amaechi was promised a significant role in both the election campaign and any future administration.
The development follows recent comments by ADC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, who rejected claims that Amaechi had turned down a vice-presidential nomination. Eze clarified that Amaechi’s earlier remarks merely reflected the fact that he had not been formally approached at the time.
Meanwhile, Atiku used the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration to criticise the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of undermining the ideals of June 12.
In a statement personally signed by him, Atiku called on Nigerians to resist what he described as poor governance, political intimidation and threats to democratic values. He urged citizens to uphold the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists and to defend the principles for which they struggled.
The former vice president also alleged that opposition parties had faced sustained pressure over the past three years through leadership crises, defections and the misuse of state institutions. He claimed that agencies of government, including anti-corruption bodies, security agencies, the legislature and sections of the judiciary, had increasingly been used to weaken opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku maintained that preserving Nigeria’s democracy requires vigilance and active participation by citizens, stressing that the legacy of June 12 should remain a symbol of freedom, justice and democratic accountability.
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