A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the African Democratic Congress to present a formidable presidential candidate capable of defeating Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi made the call on Tuesday while addressing party members at the ADC convention in Abuja, urging delegates to prioritise competence over ethnic or religious considerations in selecting a flagbearer.
“If you think President Tinubu will hand over power to you, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together and decide on a viable candidate,” he said.
“When we joined APC [before 2015], we searched for a viable candidate, and we succeeded. Ethnicity and religion will only take us back to where we started.”
The former Rivers State governor also criticised the Tinubu administration, accusing it of undermining opposition activities.
His remarks followed claims by the ADC that it was denied access to key venues, including Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, for its convention. The party later relocated the event to the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the management of the alternative venue faced pressure from government officials to cancel the booking.
“Why would a government official try to deny people their constitutional right to gather?” Amaechi asked.
He also questioned the democratic credentials of President Tinubu, referencing his past association with National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
“How can someone [Tinubu] who claims to be a democrat and once aligned with NADECO, now act against democratic principles? If that is what they stood for, then it amounts to an attempt to punish Nigerians,” he said.
The National Democratic Coalition was formed in 1994 by pro-democracy activists demanding that the military regime of Sani Abacha hand over power to the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Amaechi further accused the government of using public institutions against citizens, adding that it has failed to tackle insecurity and economic challenges.
“The situation is bad; it is terrible,” he said.
