Politics
2027: Rotimi Amaechi’s Game Plan Revealed
What City People Found Out
Since Wednesday, when he stormed Port Harcourt in a big way, many people have been wondering what Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s plans are. We can tell you that his plan is to run for Presidency, on the platform of the ADC. He would also not mind if he is fielded as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the party.
For months, Rotimi Amaechi’s plan had revolved around his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid come 2027.
Weeks back, he officially resigned from the APC, citing the party’s direction and the government’s performance as reasons for his departure. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current administration, highlighting issues like extreme inflation, hunger, and widespread poverty.
He joined the ADC, which has become the platform for a coalition of opposition parties preparing for the 2027 general elections. He emphasized the need for a national movement that empowers ordinary Nigerians to take control of their country.
He vowed to stop Tinubu’s second-term bid, urging Nigerians to register with the ADC and work towards removing the current government. He emphasized the importance of a transparent, free, and fair primary process for the ADC’s presidential candidate.
He stated that the coalition leaders will support whoever emerges as the ADC’s presidential candidate, provided the selection process is credible. The coalition includes prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai.
Amaechi plans to set up a Grassroots committee to mobilize support across Rivers State, encouraging citizens to register with the ADC and vote out the ruling APC in 2027. He also warned against electoral malpractice, particularly in Rivers State, where results are often “written” rather than counted.
The question many people are asking is whether he is still strong in Rivers, having been away for a while? Many political watchers think so?
Rotimi Amaechi’s strength in Rivers State seems to be reviving, particularly after his recent visit to the state as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Amaechi drew large crowds at the Port Harcourt International Airport, with supporters braving the rain to welcome him. This display of support indicates that he still has a significant following in the state.
He declared that the ADC has come to stay in Rivers State and has vowed to strengthen the party’s presence. He’s committed to ensuring free and fair elections in 2027, which could boost the party’s popularity.
He condemned the manipulation of election results in Rivers State and pledged to resist any attempts to undermine the will of the people in future elections. This stance may resonate with voters seeking transparent electoral processes.
He even challenged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to a popularity walk in Port Harcourt, claiming he would prove his popularity without needing security presence.
However, it’s worth noting that Amaechi’s influence in Rivers State has been complex, with some accusing him of playing retrogressive politics and prioritizing personal interests over state development.
Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike, both former governors of Rivers State, have a strained relationship. Their falling out seems to have led to a series of public disagreements and accusations.
A few weeks back Wike accused Amaechi’s wife, Judith, of receiving N4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for empowerment programs, which Judith vehemently denied. She challenged Wike to publish the forensic audit report to substantiate his claims.
Amaechi and Wike frequently engage in public spats, with Amaechi describing Wike as a “child” and Wike retaliating that Amaechi won’t return to power.
Their disagreements seem to stem from their differing political views and ambitions.
Despite their current animosity, Wike has acknowledged that he risked his life to make Amaechi governor, suggesting they were once allies.
Their relationship has been marked by intense rivalry and public feuding, particularly given their shared history in Rivers politics.
But is ADC strong in Rivers? It is coming fast, says an analyst. “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been building its presence in Rivers State, particularly with the recent visit of Rotimi Amaechi, a prominent figure in the party. Here are some key points about ADC’s strength in Rivers State:
His visit drew large crowds, indicating significant support for the party in the state. The ADC has been working to strengthen its grassroots presence and mobilize citizens.
The ADC has declared its intention to create a formidable presence in Rivers State, with plans to conduct congresses and select delegates for a national convention.
The party has signed a Memorandum of understanding with groups like the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), Justice Group, and Farmers Club of Africa, aiming to build a broader coalition and strengthen its base.
The ADC is positioning itself for the 2027 general elections, with leaders like Amaechi and Peter Obi joining the party to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the ADC has shown promise, its actual strength in Rivers State will depend on its ability to mobilize voters, build alliances, and deliver on its promises.
Can they mobilise the desired votes? The African Democratic Congress’s ability to mobilize voters hinges on several factors:
Some say, the party lacks a visible grassroots presence in key states, which hampers its ability to mobilize voters effectively. To overcome this, the ADC plans to conduct congresses and select delegates for a national convention, aiming to strengthen its grassroots presence.
The ADC’s leadership, including interim National Chairman David Mark, emphasizes building a robust ideological foundation and engaging citizens through a manifesto drive. This approach may help create a strong party structure.
The party’s candidate selection strategy, particularly the need to field a credible Northern candidate, is crucial for mobilizing voters across Nigeria’s diverse regions. Failure to do so may alienate significant portions of the electorate.
The ADC has gained momentum as a coalition platform for opposition leaders.
This coalition may help mobilize voters, but its success depends on unity and a clear vision.
The party has outlined plans to mobilize 35 million voters and promote policies like a $30 billion power generation initiative and value-added programs for agriculture and solid minerals. Rotimi Amaechi has also urged ADC members to mobilize grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general election.
What are the challenges ahead?
The ADC lacks clear party membership and institutional support, which is essential for mobilizing voters and winning elections.
Nigeria’s political arena is heavily influenced by regional and ethnic dynamics, making it crucial for the ADC to navigate these complexities effectively.
The party faces stiff competition from established parties like the APC, which has a strong base and significant resources.
Overall, the ADC’s ability to mobilize voters will depend on its capacity to build a strong grassroots presence, select a credible candidate, and navigate Nigeria’s complex regional dynamics.
Is Rotimi Amaechi well liked? His popularity is a mixed bag. On one hand, he has a significant following in Rivers State, as evident from the large crowds that welcomed him during his recent visit. His decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 has garnered support from some quarters. Amaechi’s stance against the current administration’s policies, which he believes have brought hardship to Nigerians, resonates with some people.
On the other hand, Amaechi faces criticism and skepticism from various groups. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has condemned his recent comments about his Igbo heritage, calling him out for being inconsistent and opportunistic. Some people question his credibility and trustworthiness due to his willingness to adapt his stance for political gain.
His supporters see Amaechi as a champion of good governance and a strong leader who can bring about positive change.
His critics view him as a self-serving politician who prioritizes his interests over the needs of others.
Overall, opinions about Amaechi are divided, reflecting the complex nature of Nigerian politics and the diverse perspectives of its citizens.
Rotimi Amaechi is not Igbo by ethnicity. He is from Rivers State, which is located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, and is part of the Ikwerre ethnic group. The Ikwerre people are an ethnic group native to Rivers State, and Amaechi’s background is rooted in this community.
He has a Northern title.
Rotimi Amaechi holds the traditional title of “Dan Amanar Daura,” which roughly translates to “the trusted one of Daura.” This title was conferred upon him by the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouq Umar, in recognition of his service to the nation and his contributions to the Transport sector. Amaechi’s new title is seen as a symbol of appreciation for his work, particularly in connecting the North through rail projects and his role in developing the University of Transport in Daura.
The title was conferred in February 2022 at the Emir’s palace in Daura.
This title strengthens Amaechi’s ties with the North and demonstrates the region’s appreciation for his efforts .
Amaechi’s relationship with the North is further underscored by his recent attendance at former President Muhammadu Buhari’s funeral in Daura, where he wore traditional attire fitting for his title. This gesture has sparked varied reactions, with some viewing it as a sign of respect and others as a political move.
Source:Citypeople
A former House of Representatives aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Danjuma, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Danjuma, popularly known as Garkuwa Babba, was the ADC aspirant for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency and also served as National Chairman of the ADC House of Representatives Aspirants Forum.
He announced his defection after meeting with Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Naija News understands.
During the meeting, Danjuma declared his support for the APC and pledged to mobilize his political network and grassroots supporters for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said he would support Governor Yahaya’s senatorial ambition, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, and other candidates of the party.
Danjuma said his decision to leave the ADC was largely influenced by Yahaya’s leadership, performance and development record in Gombe State.
He praised the governor for what he described as tangible development across the state, saying his achievements had boosted confidence in the APC and reduced the appeal of opposition parties among voters.
According to him, joining the APC was a deliberate move to support continuity, stability and further development in Gombe State.
Receiving Danjuma, Governor Yahaya welcomed his decision to join the APC, describing the development as a major boost for the party.
The governor assured the new APC member and his supporters of an inclusive and united party, stressing the importance of unity, loyalty and collective effort.
Yahaya said the APC remained open to individuals and groups who shared the vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Gombe State.
He added that Danjuma’s political experience, network and grassroots reach would be valuable to the party.
The governor also urged APC members and stakeholders to remain united, saying the strength of the party depended on its ability to accommodate different interests while working towards the development of Gombe State.
“These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative,” the party said.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released the names of its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 elections in 28 states
The list, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, includes several prominent politicians and former public officials seeking to contest the poll.
“These men and women will carry the ADC banner and our commitment to offer Nigerians credible leadership and a real alternative,” Mr Abdullahi wrote in a post on X on Friday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections for 6 February, 2027. It will hold alongside the state House of Assembly elections.
The remaining eight states hold their governorship elections outside of the regular election season as a result of previous court decisions. The eight states are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun.
The presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January, 2027.
ADC governorship candidates
The candidates and their running mates are Kalu Agu and Alozie Darlington (Abia); Modibbo Ribadu and Aguwa Iliya (Adamawa); and Akpanudedehe James and Nsien Tommy (Akwa Ibom); Halliru Jika and Sama’ila Mohammed Kabir (Bauchi); Herman Iorwase Hembe and Abba John Abba (Benue); Babagana Buhari and Mamman Dauda (Borno); Nkoyo Toyo and OkwoChe Andrew Adagbor (Cross River; and Great Ogboru and Afiari Gloria (Delta).
Others are Ukpai Mba Udeh and Onwe Daniel Ede (Ebonyi); Ocho Obodeze Chukwuma and Eze Arinze Christopher (Enugu); Bala Bello and Bala Sani Isa (Gombe); Sabo Mohammed Nakudu and Musa Ya’u Balarabe (Bauchi); and Isa Mohammed Ashiru and Kantiok Irmiya Ishaku (Kaduna).
There are also Ibrahim Ali Amin and Shehu Abdulkadir Bari (Kano); Ahmad Baba Kaita and Aminu Yar’Adua Ahmed (Katsina), Abubakar Malami and Zagi Musa Mohammed (Kebbi); Zakari Mohammed and Olawuyi Julius Olayide (Kwara); Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Gbadamosi Babatunde Olalere (Lagos).
The list also includes Nuhu Angbazo and Ahmed Yusuf (Nasarawa); Mohammed Kpautagi and Musa Mamman (Niger); Biodun Collins Ogundipe and Muraina Oluwaranti Oluyemi (Ogun); Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke and Wahab Adeniyi (Oyo); and John Sunday Sura and Pwajok-Kele Chundung Bitrus (Plateau).
The remaining candidates are Gabriel Pidomson and Okumgba David Amapakaye (Rivers); Manir Mohammad Daniya and Isah Bello Ambarura (Sokoto); Abubakar Umar Tutare and Kwetishe Haruna Kwenyan (Taraba); Kassim G. Gaidam and Kori Lawan Mohammed (Yobe); and Shinkafi Bilyaminu Yusuf and Muhammad Abdulmuddalib Auwal (Zamfara).
ADC performance in off-cycle elections
Since the ADC was adopted as the platform for the opposition coalition in 2025, it has struggled to make a significant impact in the three off-cycle elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections.
In the 2025 Anambra governorship election, APGA’s Chukwuma Soludo was re-elected with 422,664 votes, defeating APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu, who polled 99,445 votes. John Nwosu, the ADC candidate, finished fifth with 8,208 votes, representing about 1.4 per cent of the 584,054 valid votes cast.
In the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, the ADC candidate, Dare Bejide, finished third with 12,872 votes, accounting for about 3.4 per cent of the 375,777 valid votes cast.
In last month’s Osun governorship election, the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 1.7 per cent (17,180) of the 985,079 valid votes cast.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of global ride-hailing brand Uber from Nigeria, alongside the shutdown or scaling down of operations by several major international companies, as further evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies are turning Nigeria into a “graveyard of businesses.”
Naija News reports that global ride-hailing company, Uber, had announced the shutdown of its operations in Nigeria, bringing an end to a 12-year presence in the country.
The company said its services would cease in Nigeria from September 2, 2026, following a review of its business operations
Uber disclosed the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing its departure from the Nigerian market as a difficult one.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the growing list of businesses shutting down, scaling back or leaving the country exposes the widening gap between the government’s claims of economic progress and the reality confronting businesses and ordinary Nigerians.
The party said it was particularly astonishing that President Tinubu and his government were celebrating a marginal 0.2 percentage-point improvement in GDP at a time when businesses are closing, jobs are disappearing and millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty.
“Certainly, a 0.2% growth does not justify the extreme hardship that Nigerians are suffering,” the party said.
He argued that while the Tinubu government celebrates a marginal improvement of 0.2 percentage points, Nigeria’s poverty rate has snowballed to 63%, affecting an estimated 140 million Nigerians.
The ADC also asked President Tinubu to explain 0.2% GDP growth to the 140 million Nigerians who have sunk into poverty since he came to power; the workers who have watched the value of their salaries disappear; businesses that have struggled with energy costs; and millions who have been forced to reduce the quantity and quality of food on their tables.
“When the President and his party say things are getting better, we expect them to tell us what has improved in the lives of Nigerians. They should tell us how much food their “GDP growth” has put on the tables. They should tell us which bill it has paid. If 0.2% is a mark of success in their books, President Tinubu and APC should tell us what they consider as failure,” the ADC said.
The party said that Uber’s exit after twelve years in Nigeria reflects the increasingly hostile operating environment confronting businesses, particularly the soaring cost of energy and transportation, with the price of fuel rising by as much as 1,700% following the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira.
“This is precisely why the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has proposed the restoration of a targeted fuel subsidy to bring down the cost of fuel, transportation and production,” the party said.
It also cited the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s earlier report that 767 manufacturing companies, including 20 iconic global brands, have shut down or ceased operations in Nigeria, while hundreds more are distressed since President Tinubu assumed office in 2024. It listed among the companies that have shut down or scaled down operations in the country to include Microsoft, Jumia and Bolt Food, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer AG, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and PZ Cussons, among others.
“Therefore, when the President announces that Nigeria has turned the corner, we wonder which corner he is talking about. If indeed the economy is improving, or the slightest hope exists in the minds of those who run these businesses that this APC government can improve the economy, why are they closing shop and moving elsewhere?” ADC asked, citing the example of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which it said shut down manufacturing in Nigeria after 50 years.
“The painful truth is that Tinubu has turned Nigeria into a graveyard of businesses. Every business that shuts down or pulls out is a vote of no confidence in the Tinubu administration and its capacity to manage the economy. Each exit delivers a blow to the economy. But perhaps, more importantly, each one represents a massive loss of jobs and increased poverty.
“Therefore, when the APC and its government celebrate even the most negligible shift in GDP numbers and flaunt that as evidence to show that things are getting better, they are immediately contradicted by the painful reality that Nigerians are getting poorer and hungrier. Those who had jobs yesterday are not sure how long it will take before their employers close shop, and those earning salaries are struggling even to transport themselves to work,” the party concludes.
ADC reiterated that its presidential candidate’s plan to subsidise the production costs of fuel to make it more affordable will bring down the cost of living, make businesses more profitable, and create jobs across sectors.
SO SAD: Nigerian Bishop Shot Dead In Shocking Attack
New Files Allege Sudan Military Built Chlorine Weapons Program
Former Nigerian Senator dies At 62
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
