Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed speculation linking him to a potential vice-presidential role alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 elections.
Amaechi emphasized that he is focused on his own presidential ambition and has no intention of serving as a running mate for anyone.
The clarification comes in the wake of remarks by Atiku ally, Dele Momodu, who had suggested that Amaechi could be considered as a vice-presidential candidate if Peter Obi opts out.
Momodu, speaking to The PUNCH, commended Amaechi’s political influence, describing him as a pivotal figure in President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 electoral success.
Through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi rejected any notion of a collaboration aimed at positioning him as a vice-presidential candidate. Iyofor explained that Amaechi believes it is Southern Nigeria’s turn to produce the next president and is therefore pursuing the African Democratic Congress ticket.
He said, ”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.
”Amaechi is not aware of, and will not be part of any talk to be running mate to anybody. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody.
”Politicians are kindly advised to leave Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate,” Iyofor added.
This is not Amaechi’s first public declaration of interest in the ADC presidential ticket.
In August, he stated he would not step down for any aspirant during the party’s primary, insisting that the people should determine the flagbearer.
Earlier in July, he also expressed willingness to serve as a one-term president to promote power rotation and political stability if elected under the ADC.
“If not for the coalition agreement, the answer to whether I’ll run (as president) would have been an outright yes,” he said.
“But what did we agree? Everyone should keep aside their ambition. Let’s first get the platform. Let’s build it before talking about the presidency.”
Amaechi previously contested the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in 2022, finishing second to President Bola Tinubu, who secured the party’s ticket.
