The Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, has said he is surprised that former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is seeking to become Nigeria’s president.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Otubanjo stated this while speaking during an interview on Arise News TV’s morning programme.
He said he was surprised by Amaechi’s presidential ambition, arguing that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain lacked the political weight required for the race.
“I’m surprised that Amaechi is struggling to be president. The problem is that Nigerians take politics as incantation, when you say something repeatedly, you feel you can do it,” he said.
The political analyst said Amaechi should not have contested the ADC presidential primary against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, the former Minister of Transportation did not have the required structure or influence to mount a serious challenge in the race.
Otubanjo said, “Amaechi should not have bothered himself.”
He added that the outcome of the primary showed that Amaechi did not pose any significant threat to Atiku’s ambition within the ADC.
Otubanjo also expressed doubt over Atiku’s chances of securing strong support from Southern Nigeria in the 2027 presidential election.
He argued that the ADC lacked prominent political figures in the South who could help deliver meaningful votes for the former vice president.
According to him, the party’s weak southern structure could affect Atiku’s chances.
“It was as if Amaechi was not in the primary. Right now Atiku has no leg in the South,” he said.
The NIIA director further claimed that the ADC did not have strong southern politicians capable of giving it a serious electoral advantage.
He said Amaechi remained the only notable southern figure in the party, but insisted that the former Rivers governor would not add much political value.
“No prominent ADC member is from the South except Amaechi but Amaechi is not an asset,” Otubanjo added.