Public affairs and political analysts from Southern Nigeria have criticised the emergence of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 general election, warning that the choice could undermine the party’s chances of victory.
The analysts—Johnson Iheanacho, Eniafe Ayomide and Anga Fidelis—argued that Amaechi’s selection would do little to strengthen Atiku’s electoral prospects, particularly in the South, where they claimed the former Minister of Transportation no longer commands significant political influence.
Amaechi, who contested the ADC presidential primary against Atiku before emerging as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, has continued to attract mixed reactions from party supporters and political observers.
His emergence was recently criticised by the newly appointed spokesperson for Atiku, Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, who publicly questioned the decision.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the three analysts expressed concern that Atiku may be jeopardising what they described as the high expectations many Nigerians have placed on his presidential ambition.
“This begs the question: Is Atiku Abubakar aware of the massive hope many Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones of the country have invested in his aspiration?
Does Atiku actually want to win the 2027 presidential election, or, as Amaechi himself once quipped, does he simply want to emerge as a party candidate again and lose to Tinubu as a serial loser? These are probing and germane questions,” they stated.
According to them, although the process of officially submitting the vice-presidential nomination to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to be concluded, settling for Amaechi would send the wrong signal to Nigerians.
“If it is true that Atiku has finally settled for Amaechi as his running mate, then it is a clear indication that what Amaechi once said about Atiku may well be true. It would suggest that he is gambling with the hopes and future of Nigerians,” they said.
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The analysts further argued that Atiku may not fully appreciate the current political realities in the Niger Delta, insisting that Amaechi’s political relevance in Rivers State has diminished considerably.
“With all due respect, Atiku may not be fully abreast of the political reality in the Niger Delta region where Amaechi comes from.
As of today, Amaechi is a political liability. It is a statement of fact that he cannot even win his ward in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
When you cannot deliver your ward, how do you deliver your local government and ultimately your state?” they queried.
They maintained that while Atiku is expected to secure significant support across northern Nigeria, his greatest challenge lies in building sufficient backing across the southern states, a task they believe Amaechi is incapable of delivering.
“The majority of Nigerians agree that President Bola Tinubu should not secure another term, but defeating him will require strategic political calculations.
Atiku is expected to command substantial support in the North, but should he distract himself with a running mate who cannot even deliver the constitutional 25 per cent of votes in his own region?
“If Amaechi could not deliver in the eight states of the Niger Delta, how can he be expected to deliver across the 17 states of Southern Nigeria comprising the South-South, South-West and South-East? Let us call it what it is—mission impossible,” the statement added.
The analysts urged the ADC leadership to carefully evaluate its electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the choice of running mate should strengthen, rather than weaken, the party’s national appeal.