By Achile Danjuma
Leaders from the South-South geopolitical zone have thrown their weight behind former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to be the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced following a meeting with the regional leaders on Friday, during which Amaechi formally declared his intention to run. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is now a chieftain of the ADC, made the announcement on behalf of the group.
“In the process, we are glad that our son, His Excellency, Chibuike Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” Odigie-Oyegun stated.
He commended the former Rivers State governor for observing proper political protocol by consulting with the region’s leadership before moving forward with his ambition.
“We were very pleased to thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone; for not letting loose in his zone, setting up his own personal structure, by ensuring, like any good son, that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it,” Odigie-Oyegun added.
According to him, the decision to endorse Amaechi was unanimous among the leaders present. “We were pleased, and I can report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition,” he said.
Odigie-Oyegun also revealed that the group plans to institutionalize its collaboration, holding regular meetings to foster unity and strategic thinking within the region.
“We are going to meet regularly. This group of leaders are going to meet regularly to interact and to learn from each other’s experience, so that, as usual, the South-South zone will become an example to be emulated by other zones in the nation. That reflects basically in this decision,” he explained.
Looking ahead to the 2027 electoral cycle, the ADC chieftain called on the government to ensure a peaceful and stable atmosphere, urging all authorities to refrain from actions that could incite violence.
“A lot of speakers, of course, emphasized the fact that we hope the government will approach the run-up to the elections and allow peace to reign, allow stability to reign, and eschew violence in the run-up to the elections that will come in 2027,” he noted.
Odigie-Oyegun concluded by affirming the ADC’s commitment to its political goals, acknowledging the limited time remaining before the elections. “We are very aware that time is short, and we, as the ADC, are committed,” he said.