Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to conduct a transparent primary election for selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. He firmly rejected calls for a consensus choice, emphasizing that party members should have the freedom to choose their candidate. Amaechi insisted that internal democracy must be upheld, arguing that leadership should emerge through a credible voting process rather than through backroom agreements.
Regarding the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar securing the ADC ticket, Amaechi expressed his willingness to support him if he wins a fair primary. However, he maintained that no aspirant should receive the nomination without undergoing the proper due process. He described Atiku as eminently qualified and asserted that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for the presidency, irrespective of the ongoing debates about regional power rotation.
Amaechi dismissed arguments surrounding North-South zoning, stressing that competence should take precedence over regional considerations. He stated that Nigeria needs a leader with the capacity and energy to tackle the country’s challenges, citing the rise of younger leaders in other parts of the world as evidence that effective leadership requires strength, alertness, and the ability to respond swiftly to national issues. He emphasized that the presidency demands someone who can actively engage with citizens, understand their problems firsthand, and work consistently toward viable solutions.
Furthermore, Amaechi cautioned Nigerians against voting based on religion or ethnicity, attributing such considerations to the nation’s current socio-economic struggles. He argued that economic realities affect all citizens equally, regardless of their faith or background. Criticizing the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he noted that economic hardship has intensified across the country. “Today, they have discovered that the market does not know Christians or Muslims. The market understands just one language: Naira and Kobo. It doesn’t understand any other language. Now, everybody is suffering. Everybody is looking for food to eat,” he stated.
Amaechi highlighted the rising costs of fuel, transportation, and basic commodities, pointing out that many Nigerians are struggling to meet their daily needs. He concluded by asserting that the focus of leadership should be on improving the economy and addressing citizens’ welfare, rather than engaging in identity politics.
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