‘I won’t be running mate to anybody’: Amaechi rejects request to be Atiku’s VP in 2027

Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has firmly dismissed speculations linking him to any vice-presidential ticket in the 2027 elections, insisting that he is running for president and not as anyone’s running mate.

Amaechi’s position follows comments by Dele Momodu, a close ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who suggested that Atiku might consider Amaechi as a potential running mate if Peter Obi declines a joint ticket.

Speaking on the matter, Amaechi made it clear that he has no intention of accepting a secondary role on any presidential ticket, stressing that his ambition is solely to contest for the nation’s top office.

He stated that the speculation was unnecessary and misleading, particularly at a time when political alignments and negotiations ahead of 2027 continue to generate public interest.

Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and two-time Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign, is among the prominent figures expected to play a major role in the coming electoral cycle.

Momodu, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said, “A lot of people are underrating Amaechi. Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari. What the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is doing now, though in an unruly manner, Amaechi did quite well when he was governor of Rivers State. Amaechi mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”

David Iyofor, Amaechi’s aide, insisted that his principal’s ambition is solely to become the President of the country and not Vice President. Amaechi distanced himself from any alliance aimed at making him a running mate.

‎”Amaechi is not seeking to be running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate to anybody and will not,” Iyofor said. ‎

He further said that Amaechi believes it is the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the next president and is therefore pursuing the presidential ticket of the ADC.

‎”Amaechi is not aware of, and will not be part of any talk to be running mate to anybody. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody.

‎”Politicians are kindly advised to leave  Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate,” Iyofor said. ‎

Amaechi, who contested the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket in 2023, defected to the ADC earlier this year and has since declared his intention to seek the party’s nomination for the 2027 election.

The former Rivers governor will contest against Atiku and other interested aspirants for the party’s 2027 Presidential ticket.

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