ADC Declines to Confirm Reports of Atiku's Running Mate Pick

Reports circulating in Nigerian media suggest that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has chosen former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate for the upcoming election. However, the party has officially declined to confirm these claims.

When reached for comment by PREMIUM TIMES, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated, "I don't have that confirmation. I cannot confirm for you at this time." He further elaborated that while the party will eventually announce a vice-presidential candidate, he lacked specific information regarding the reported selection of Mr. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and runner-up in the ADC presidential primary.

Speculation surrounding a potential Atiku-Amaechi ticket has intensified following the conclusion of the ADC presidential primary. The reports suggest a strategic North-East/South-South pairing, with Abubakar from Adamawa State and Amaechi from Rivers State, aiming to consolidate opposition support. This potential pairing would unite two prominent opposition figures who previously served under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“

I don’t have that confirmation. I cannot confirm for you at this time.

The speculation gained further traction after an ADC chieftain, Chukwuemeka Eze, refuted claims that Mr. Amaechi had rejected a vice-presidential offer. Eze was responding to comments from party stalwart Dele Momodu, who had suggested Amaechi was unwilling to accept the position. Eze asserted that no one had approached Amaechi regarding the role after the primary and cautioned against internal speculation that could cause tension.

This reported move has also drawn parallels to the events leading up to the 2023 presidential election. In that instance, Atiku Abubakar, after winning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary, selected Ifeanyi Okowa, then Governor of Delta State, as his running mate, a decision that reportedly caused friction with other aspirants like Nyesom Wike.

“

Definitely we will have a running mate. But to confirm specifically the question you asked me, I’m not able to confirm now. If I have any further information, I will let you know.