The South-South chapter of the African Democratic Congress has distanced itself from comments credited to John Odigie-Oyegun suggesting that the zone had thrown its weight behind Rotimi Amaechi for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The rebuttal followed Oyegun’s assertion that leaders from the region unanimously agreed to support Amaechi’s ambition after a consultative session.
Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and now a prominent figure in the ADC, had stated that the meeting afforded Amaechi the opportunity to formally inform stakeholders of his intention to contest the presidency.
He was quoted as saying that the gathering resolved to grant the former minister the necessary backing to pursue his aspiration.
But in a statement released on Saturday, the ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, described the claim of endorsement as misleading and inaccurate.
Oboh clarified that the February 27 meeting, held at Oyegun’s Benin City residence, did not produce any resolution endorsing a presidential aspirant.
She explained that the event, attended by party leaders and representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, focused primarily on strengthening party unity, boosting grassroots mobilisation and preparing for forthcoming electoral contests.
According to her, while Amaechi used the occasion to formally declare his interest in seeking the party’s presidential nomination, no motion was moved, no vote was taken and no formal decision was reached in his favour.
“Consultation should not be misconstrued as endorsement, just as courtesy should not be mistaken for coronation. Granting a prominent son of the region the platform to brief leaders on his aspiration does not amount to a declaration of support,” the statement read.
The zonal leadership emphasised that the party’s constitution provides clear procedures for the nomination of candidates, which rest with its authorised organs and members, not regional consultations.
Oboh further noted that it would be unreasonable to suggest that experienced party leaders would abandon established democratic processes in determining the party’s presidential flag bearer.
