Amaechi reverses stance, accepts ADC vice presidential ticket after prior rejection

Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, has accepted the position of vice presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for the 2027 general election. This decision comes after Amaechi had previously declared he would not accept a vice presidential ticket.

“

Would you stop that nonsense? Stop that. I didn’t buy a form to be vice-president. Don’t you ever say it.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced Amaechi's selection, stating it followed broad consultations and reflected his strong performance as runner-up in the party's presidential primaries. This development contrasts sharply with Amaechi's earlier public statements. In a live interview prior to the ADC presidential primary, when asked about accepting a vice presidential role, Amaechi reacted with visible anger, admonishing the interviewer and stating, "I didn’t buy a form to be vice-president. Don’t you ever say it."

Following Atiku Abubakar's clinching of the ADC presidential ticket, Amaechi had rejected the outcome, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice. He described the results that produced Atiku as "concocted." However, his recent acceptance of the vice presidential offer represents a significant volte-face.

“

This interview is about the presidency. If you want to interview a vice-president, can I step down so I can get vice-presidential aspirants?

Amaechi's change of stance has drawn attention to what the article describes as a "penchant for doublespeak" among politicians in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. The piece suggests that politicians' words are often unreliable indicators of their convictions, revealing a "troubling deficit of character and integrity."

“

concocted