Prof. Femi Otubanjo, Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, has expressed shock that former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, is vying to be Nigeria’s president.
Otubanjo said this during an interview on Arise News TV’s morning programme, it was reported.
He said he was surprised by Amaechi’s presidential ambition, arguing that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain did not have the political weight required for the race.
“I’m surprised Amaechi is having a problem to be president. “The problem is that Nigerians take politics as incantation, when you say something repeatedly, you feel you can do it,” he said.
Amaechi should not have contested ADC presidential primary against former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the political analyst said.
He said the former Minister of Transportation did not have the structure and weight to constitute a threat in the race.
“Why should Amaechi have bothered himself?” Otubanjo asked.
He said the outcome of the primaries clearly showed that Amaechi did not pose any threat to Atiku’s ambition in the ADC.
Otubanjo also expressed doubt about Atiku’s chances of getting strong support from Southern Nigeria in the 2027 presidential election.
He said the ADC did not have high-profile politicians in the South who could help win meaningful votes for the former vice president.
In his estimation, the party’s weak southern structure could hurt Atiku’s chances.
“It was like Amaechi was not in the primary. “Atiku has no leg in the South at the moment,” he said.
The NIIA director also claimed that the ADC lacked strong southern politicians who could give it a serious electoral advantage.
He said Amaechi was still the only vocal southern voice in the party, but insisted that the former Rivers governor would not add much political value.
“There is no prominent member of the ADC from the South, except Amaechi, but Amaechi is not an asset,” Otubanjo said.
