Amaechi Accepts Atiku’s Running Mate Offer for 2027 Presidential Election — Party Source

Former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has reportedly agreed to serve as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development marks a significant turn in the party’s post-primary realignment, months after both leaders contested the ADC presidential ticket.

The disclosure was made on Saturday by a former Rivers State chairman of the party, Sampson Leader, who said Amaechi had accepted the vice-presidential slot offered by Atiku.

Amaechi was among the leading aspirants in the party’s presidential primary but lost to the former vice president, who emerged as the ADC’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.

Before the primary, the former Rivers governor had consistently maintained that his ambition was to become president and not to negotiate for the position of vice president. His position had fuelled speculation that he might decline any offer to serve as a running mate if he failed to secure the party’s ticket.

Following the primary, Amaechi also expressed reservations about the conduct of the election amid allegations by some party members that the process favoured Atiku.

However, his reported acceptance of the vice-presidential nomination appears to signal a reconciliation within the party, with both leaders now poised to work together as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls.

Political observers say the Atiku-Amaechi ticket could strengthen the party’s electoral prospects, particularly given Amaechi’s political influence in the South-South region and his extensive experience on the national political stage.

Although the ADC has yet to make an official announcement on the joint ticket, party sources indicated that consultations leading to the decision have been ongoing since the conclusion of the primary election.

Analysts believe the partnership could reshape the dynamics of the 2027 presidential race as opposition parties seek to build stronger coalitions capable of challenging the ruling party.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Atiku nor Amaechi had publicly commented on the reported agreement.