Atiku Abubakar Greets Rotimi Amaechi on 61st Birthday Amidst Election Dispute

Vice President Atiku Abubakar extended birthday wishes to former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi on his 61st birthday, referring to him as "my brother and fellow patriot." Abubakar lauded Amaechi's "courage, conviction, and years of service to Rivers State and Nigeria," stating that these qualities continue to inspire many across the nation.

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Happy Birthday to my brother and fellow patriot, H.E. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Your courage, conviction, and years of service to Rivers State and Nigeria continue to inspire many across the nation.

Abubakar also prayed for Amaechi's "good health, strength, and many more years of impactful service to our dear country." The message was posted on Abubakar's X handle on Wednesday.

The birthday felicitations arrive amidst controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election. Amaechi, an aspirant in the ADC primary, on Tuesday rejected the election results, labeling them as "concocted." He contested the party's ticket alongside Abubakar and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

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I wish you good health, strength, and many more years of impactful service to our dear country.

Amaechi stated in a release on his verified X handle, @ChibuikeAmaechi, that the primary election, conducted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was marred by "widespread voter disenfranchisement." He asserted that he would only accept the outcome if the process was free, fair, and transparent.

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Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the African Democratic Congress Presidential Primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced.

"I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing in the hands of the ruling party," Amaechi declared. He further argued that a significant portion of party members were allegedly denied the opportunity to vote, questioning the legitimacy of results under such circumstances.

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I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing in the hands of the ruling party.