The former Minister of Transportation and ex‑Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected speculation that he could serve as running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or join any joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. He made his position clear through his media aide, David Iyofor, stressing that he is only interested in contesting for the presidency and not in deputising for any candidate.
The controversy followed comments by media entrepreneur and Atiku ally, Dele Momodu, who suggested in an interview that Amaechi might become Atiku’s running mate if former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi declines an offer to run with Atiku on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Momodu had argued that “a lot of people are underrating Amaechi,” claiming that the former minister “single‑handedly handed power to Buhari” and “mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu” when he was governor of Rivers State. He added that if Obi “does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”
Responding in a statement, Iyofor dismissed such projections and firmly ruled out any vice‑presidential role for his principal. “Amaechi is not seeking to be running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate to anybody and will not,” he said. He further emphasised that the former minister “is not aware of, and will not be part of any talk to be running mate to anybody,” insisting: “For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody.” Iyofor advised other politicians to “leave Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate.”
Amaechi’s stance is consistent with his long‑stated presidential ambition. In May 2022, while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates in Jigawa during his previous presidential bid, he declared that he was fully qualified to lead the country. “Judge me by past records, not what people think and say I am. I have to be the president of Nigeria because of my trajectory,” he said at the time.
Now a leading figure in the ADC and part of an opposition coalition targeting the 2027 election, Amaechi’s latest rejection of any vice‑presidential role signals his determination to remain in the race as a frontline presidential contender, not a supporting act on another politician’s ticket.
