2027: South‑South Leaders Drums Support for Amaechi’s Presidential Bid

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has emerged at the centre of a contentious endorsement claim by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the party’s preferred presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election. Reports from a South‑South ADC leadership meeting in Benin City, Edo State, indicated that Amaechi received overwhelming backing from key regional figures, including former APC National Chairman John Odigie‑Oyegun, after he formally announced his intention to seek the ADC presidential ticket. Proponents of the move argue the support reflects confidence in Amaechi’s experience and credentials, elevating him ahead of other aspirants like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

However, the narrative has been fiercely disputed within the party. ADC South‑South zonal officials, including the Publicity Secretary, insist that no formal endorsement was made and cast the gathering as a consultative meeting rather than a binding decision on the party’s standard‑bearer. They emphasise that only the party’s constitutional processes can determine its presidential candidate.

As internal divisions play out publicly, the ADC’s presidential nomination contest is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched and contested in Nigeria’s opposition politics.