Ex-Rivers Governor stresses capacity, age, and regional power balance as key factors for party’s success
Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that fielding a presidential candidate from the North may face resistance from voters in southern Nigeria.
Speaking in Kano, Amaechi emphasized that the party must carefully consider regional dynamics, candidate ability, age, and the current balance of power before the 2027 general election.
“I will support whoever emerges. The ADC should take a look around and find the best material that can show Nigerians that things will start to improve,” Amaechi said.
He highlighted three key criteria for selecting a presidential candidate:
- Capacity – the candidate’s ability to govern effectively.
- Age – ensuring energy and vitality for leadership.
- Respect for the unspoken power rotation rule – acknowledging that the South has held power recently and that continuity may be a sensitive issue.
Amaechi warned that presenting a Northern candidate while many Southerners feel power should remain in their region could reduce the party’s popularity in southern Nigeria.
“If you choose someone from the North, it will be hard to get the South to give up power because they will ask the North, ‘Why is it that only when power comes to the South does there become a problem?’” he explained.
Despite these challenges, Amaechi pledged his support to the party’s unity and said he would back the candidate who wins the ADC presidential primary, regardless of region.
“Whether someone is from the South or the North doesn’t matter to me; I will support whoever comes out on top in the primary,” he said.
Amaechi, who has declared his interest in the ADC presidential nomination, also promised to serve only one four-year term to allow power to return to the North afterward.
