Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has warned that it could be difficult for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to secure widespread support in southern Nigeria if the party fields a presidential candidate from the North.
Amaechi advised the party to carefully consider regional sensitivities ahead of the next general election, noting that such factors could significantly influence voter behavior.
Speaking in Kano while responding to questions on whether he would support an ADC candidate, Amaechi said he was committed to backing whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer. However, he stressed that strategic decisions were necessary to strengthen the party’s appeal and electoral chances.
“I will support whoever emerges,” he said, urging the ADC to “look around and find the best material that can convince Nigerians that things will begin to improve.”
According to Amaechi, the party must weigh three key considerations in selecting its presidential candidate: competence, age, and the prevailing balance of power in the country.
“First is capacity. Second is age. Third—and that is the final point—is to respect the unspoken rule about power that exists in the South,” he said.
He explained that acknowledging the current power dynamics would make it easier for politicians and voters in the South to align with the party.
“They should complete that process and then return power to the North. It makes it easier for people in the South to say they want to compete because the North has already said, ‘Finish all this,’” he added, referring to former Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar.
Amaechi cautioned that presenting a northern candidate at a time when many southerners believe power should remain in the South could weaken the ADC’s popularity in the region.
“If you choose someone from the North, I’m not saying we won’t campaign, but it will be difficult to persuade the South to give up power. People will ask the North, ‘Why is it that only when power comes to the South does it become a problem?’” he said.
Despite his concerns, the former Rivers State governor reiterated his commitment to party unity, pledging to support whoever wins the ADC presidential primary, regardless of regional origin.
“Whether the person is from the South or the North doesn’t matter to me; I will support whoever emerges,” Amaechi stated.
Amaechi, who has indicated interest in contesting the ADC presidential ticket, also promised that he would serve only one four-year term if elected, to allow power to return to the North.
It is understood that President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently serving the first term of the informal power-sharing arrangement that allocates the presidency to the South from 2023 to 2031.
Meanwhile, the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, in a recent visit to former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, said ADC does not have zoning in its constitution.
