The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, pairing him with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on what party leaders describe as a “unity and rescue ticket.”
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement sent on Monday, said Amaechi’s emergence was the result of extensive consultations within the party and was informed by his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries and his record of service to his State and the country.
The ADC said Amaechi’s broad experience spanning the legislative and executive arms of government as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, and former Minister of Transportation makes him uniquely positioned to complement Atiku’s leadership, strengthen the party’s national appeal, and bolster its campaign to provide Nigerians with an experienced and credible alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“The Atiku/Amaechi ticket is more than a political alliance,” Abdullahi said in the statement. “It is the coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach, and leadership capacity required to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security, and inclusive development.
It said in the full statement:
The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders, and representatives of all geopolitical zones is proud to announce that the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been selected as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of our great party for the 2027 Presidential Election.
“This recommendation comes on the heels of the successful conclusion of the ADC Presidential Primaries, where Rt. Hon. Amaechi emerged as the first runner up and received wide support from party members across the federation, thus demonstrating his enduring appeal as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and respected political leaders.
“The proposed partnership between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is not just a political alliance, but a coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach and leadership capacity to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security and inclusive development.
“Rt. Hon. Amaechi offers to this ticket one of the most all-encompassing records of public service in contemporary Nigerian politics. He has experience in all major pillars of democratic governance. He was the longest serving Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and one of the longest serving legislative leaders in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. He later served two terms as Governor of Rivers State, where he oversaw major investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and public sector reforms. He served as Minister of Transportation at the national level, spearheading some of the most ambitious transportation and rail modernization projects in Nigeria’s history.
Few political leaders in Nigeria today have such broad and well-rounded experience in both the legislature and executive arms of government. This experience will be a huge asset in assisting the next ADC administration from day one.
“Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s impressive credentials make him a strategic addition to the ticket. His political clout in the South-South and across Southern Nigeria, his standing as a reform-minded administrator and his demonstrated capacity to build coalitions across political, ethnic and regional divides position him uniquely to complement the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar.
“Together, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi represent a truly national ticket—one that crosses regions, generations and political traditions. Their combined experience in governance, economic management, public administration, party organization and nation building offers Nigerians a credible and compelling alternative that can restore confidence in government and fast track national development.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are clamouring for competent leadership, economic revival, job creation, security and national unity, the Atiku-Amaechi ticket sends a clear message: the ADC is ready to govern, ready to unite the nation, and ready to deliver results.
“The ADC leadership is confident that this partnership will energize our growing coalition, inspire hope among Nigerians and provide the leadership necessary to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The ADC therefore calls on all party members, coalition partners, civil society organizations, youth groups, women leaders, and Nigerians of goodwill to join us as we embark on this historic journey of renewing our nation and securing a better future for generations to come.
