By Achile Danjuma
The South-South Zonal Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has countered its zonal National Leader, former Governor John Odigie-Oyegun, over the purported endorsement of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, for the presidency.
At the ADC South-South leaders’ consultative meeting held in Benin City, capital of Edo State, on Friday, Odigie-Oyegun had said Amaechi used the meeting to formally inform leaders of the region of his intention to contest the presidency, adding that the response from South-South stakeholders was unanimous.
“We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation. We were very pleased. We thanked him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone for not letting loose in this zone, for setting up his own personal structures, for ensuring like every good son that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it,” he had said.
“We are pleased and I cannot report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.”
But on Saturday, South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, described the reports on Amaechi’s endorsement as misleading.
“The February 27 meeting at Oyegun’s residence gathered respected party elders, senior stakeholders, and state representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.” she said.
According to her, the gathering was aimed at strengthening internal cohesion, deepening grassroots mobilisation, and positioning the party strategically for future electoral contests.
Oboh emphasised that to suggest the body would abandon constitutional processes for an informal endorsement is both inaccurate and illogical.
She added that during the meeting, Amaechi formally informed regional leaders of his intention to seek the party’s presidential ticket.
She noted that consultation did not amount to endorsement and explained that receiving a prominent son of the South-South, who had chosen to inform his regional leaders, could not be interpreted as a declaration of support or endorsement.
“At no time, before, during, or after the meeting, was any motion moved, resolution adopted, vote taken, or consensus reached to endorse any aspirant,” she added.
“Misinformation in political reporting does not merely mislead the public; it risks undermining democratic processes, fueling unnecessary tension within parties, and eroding confidence in institutional procedures,” she said.
She added that South-South elders remain united and committed to due process, stressing that “no endorsement took place, and any narrative suggesting otherwise is false and should be disregarded.”