2027: ADC Announces Atiku’s Choice of Running Mate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has picked a former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, running alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on what party leaders called a “unity and rescue ticket.”

Amaechi’s emergence was the result of extensive consultations within the party, and informed by his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries, and his record of service to his State and the country, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement sent on Monday.

According to the ADC, Amaechi’s wide-ranging experience in the legislature and executive as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, and former Minister of Transportation positions him uniquely to complement Atiku’s leadership, broaden the party’s national appeal and strengthen its campaign to offer Nigerians an experienced and credible alternative in the 2027 presidential election.

“The Atiku/Amaechi ticket is not just a political alliance,” Abdullahi said in the statement. “It is the convergence of two tested statesmen who possess the experience, national reach and leadership capacity needed to rescue our country from its present challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.

The full statement said:

The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders, and representatives of all geopolitical zones is proud to announce that the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been chosen as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of our great party for the 2027 Presidential Election.

“This recommendation follows the successful conclusion of the ADC Presidential Primaries, where Rt. Hon. Amaechi was the first runner up and received wide support from party members across the federation, thus demonstrating his enduring appeal as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and respected political leaders.

“The partnership being proposed between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is not only a political alliance but a coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach and leadership capacity to rescue Nigeria from its present challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.

“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is offering this ticket one of the most comprehensive records of public service in modern Nigerian political history; He has a background in all major pillars of democratic governance. He was Nigeria’s Fourth Republic’s longest serving Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and one of the longest serving leaders of the legislature. He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State, where he led major investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and public sector reforms. He was a national Minister of Transportation, where he led some of the most ambitious transportation and rail modernization projects in Nigeria’s history.

There are few political leaders in Nigeria today who have such a broad and well-rounded experience in both the legislature and executive arms of government. This experience will be a tremendous asset in supporting the next ADC administration from day one.

“Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a man with impressive credentials and a strategic addition to the ticket. His clout in the South-South and across Southern Nigeria, his reputation as a reformist administrator, and his proven ability to build coalitions across political, ethnic and regional divides make him a unique addition to the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar.

“Together, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi make a truly national ticket—one that crosses regions, generations and political traditions. Their collective experience in governance, economic management, public administration, party organization and nation building provides Nigerians with a credible and compelling alternative that can restore confidence in government and accelerate national development.

“In a time when millions of Nigerians are clamouring for competent leadership, economic revival, job creation, security and national unity, the Atiku-Amaechi ticket sends a clear message: the ADC is ready to govern, ready to unite the nation, and ready to deliver results.

“The ADC leadership believes that this partnership will galvanize our growing coalition, inspire hope among Nigerians and provide the leadership needed to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The ADC therefore urges all party members, coalition partners, civil society organizations, youth groups, women leaders, and Nigerians of goodwill to join us as we commence this historic journey to renew our nation and secure a better future for generations to come.”