Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he did not purchase the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential nomination form with any intention of becoming a running mate.
Amaechi made the clarification during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, amid growing discussions over the internal contest for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the next general elections.
The former Rivers State governor stated that his ambition remains strictly for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that any suggestion of a vice-presidential arrangement was not part of his political plan.
“Please stop that. I didn’t buy the ADC presidential ticket to become Vice President,” he said.
Amaechi also addressed ongoing debates within the party regarding the possibility of adopting a consensus arrangement, stating that such a decision must be collectively agreed upon by all aspirants.
According to him, if the party leadership wishes to pursue consensus, then a proper meeting should be convened where all contenders can participate and agree on a unified process. He added that where agreement cannot be reached, the party must proceed to primary elections.
The former minister’s remarks come amid heightened tension within the ADC over its presidential ticket and the positioning of key political figures ahead of the elections.
Amaechi has been vocal in recent weeks about the need for a transparent and competitive process, and has previously engaged in political exchanges with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over zoning and the conduct of party primaries.
In earlier comments, Amaechi urged Atiku to allow an open primary contest, following Atiku’s reported position that he does not fully support zoning arrangements within the party.
Observers say the internal debate reflects broader struggles within opposition parties over power rotation, consensus-building, and internal democracy as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
Political analysts also note that Amaechi’s firm rejection of a vice-presidential role signals his intention to remain a central contender in the presidential race rather than play a subordinate role in any political alliance.
The ADC is expected to continue consultations in the coming months as it seeks to unify its aspirants and define its strategy ahead of the polls.