Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has dismissed claims that he is being considered as a potential vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The former Rivers State governor said he is focused solely on pursuing his own presidential ambition and will not serve as a running mate to anyone.
The clarification comes after comments by media publisher Dele Momodu, an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who suggested that Atiku might consider Amaechi as a running mate if Labour Party’s Peter Obi refuses to join him.
Momodu described Amaechi as a politically influential figure and credited him as one of the major forces behind former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 victory.
Responding through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi said he is not involved in any talks about becoming a vice-presidential candidate.
“Amaechi is not seeking to be anyone’s running mate and will not accept such a position,” Iyofor said. He added that Amaechi believes Southern Nigeria should produce the next president and is therefore pursuing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Iyofor added:
“For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody. Politicians are advised to leave his name out of any discussions about vice-presidential slots.”
This is not the first time Amaechi has publicly confirmed his intention to contest under the ADC.
In August, he stated that he would not step down for any aspirant during the party’s primary, stressing that the party delegates not political negotiations should determine the flagbearer.
Earlier in July, he also said he would be willing to serve one term if elected, arguing that power rotation is crucial to national stability.
“If not for the coalition agreement, the answer to whether I’ll run would have been an outright yes,” he said at the time.
