No Retreat: ADC South-South Leaders Reaffirm Support For Ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi
The South-South leadership of the African Democratic Congress has reaffirmed its support for a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in his 2027 presidential ambition, emphasising that the backing is voluntary and based on personal conviction.
The ADC National Vice Chairman (South South), Usani Uguru Usani, stated in a statement issued on Saturday that no member was forced to act contrary to his or her personal conviction.
He explained that at a meeting of party leaders in the zone held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday, February 27, 2026, and chaired by former Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, Rotimi Amaechi was endorsed for the 2027 presidential election.
However, some ADC leaders in the South-South, in a separate statement on Saturday, signed by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Label Oboh, denied that the former governor was endorsed for the 2027 presidency.
Responding to the denial, the ADC National Vice Chairman (South South) maintained that Amaechi secured the endorsement following an overwhelming “Aye” vote at the party’s South-South Forum meeting.
The statement read in part, “Whereas the forum ignited certain issues of internal leadership organisation within the ADC in the SS, the following developments, amongst others, ensued: H.E. Rotimi Amaechi declared his interest in bidding for the presidential seat in the 2027 election.
He solicited our support as people from his geopolitical base.
“There was a suggestion for a motion to uphold the request. A brief remark was made to recap the request and the importance of having a general opinion on the issue by the regional leader, H.E. Chief J. Odigie-Oyegun. Ultimately, he called for a voice vote to respond to this appeal.
“At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative ‘AY’ while a contra call had no ‘NAY’ response. This applause was a pledge to support him, which can be interpreted as an endorsement.
“Notably, this development does not compel individual actions based on conviction. It does not imply that a support base for other aspirants within the zone is non-existent. I find it compelling to offer this step-by-step procedure in order to guarantee the integrity of participants and equally secure the harmony of the forum as we look forward to more challenging eventualities in our general struggle.”
Amaechi, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are the leading aspirants for the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The trio are seeking to secure the coalition party’s nomination to challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 election.
