Political commentators from Southern Nigeria have criticized the decision to appoint former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election. Amaechi, who previously competed against Atiku for the party’s nomination, has triggered a mixed response among party members and leadership, including vocal opposition from Atiku’s own spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo.
In a formal statement released Friday, analysts Johnson Iheanacho, Eniafe Ayomide, and Anga Fidelis argued that selecting Amaechi significantly weakens Atiku’s chances of winning the presidency. They questioned whether Atiku is genuinely committed to winning or if he risks repeating previous electoral defeats by aligning himself with a politician they describe as a political liability. According to the analysts, Amaechi lacks the local support to even carry his own ward in the Ikwerre Local Government Area, casting doubt on his ability to mobilize voters across the Niger Delta or the broader Southern region.
The group stressed that while there is widespread public desire for a change in administration, the electoral challenge against the incumbent is substantial. They noted that Amaechi’s inability to secure significant support in his home region makes him a poor choice for a running mate, particularly because he cannot guarantee the necessary constitutional vote thresholds. Ultimately, the analysts characterized the pairing as a strategic mistake that could render Atiku’s campaign efforts ineffective in the southern geopolitical zones.
