Atiku chose Amaechi to show he has nothing against Igbo people, says ADC chieftain

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has defended the party's decision to nominate Rotimi Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. Okonkwo asserted that this choice signifies that the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, harbors no animosity towards the Igbo people. Speaking on Channels Television's Morning Brief, Okonkwo addressed concerns about Amaechi's delayed public acknowledgment of the nomination and his own previous reservations about the vice-presidential slot not being allocated to the Southeast. He explained that the ADC is currently engaged in internal dialogue to resolve these issues and unite the party. "The ADC has announced Rotimi Amaechi as the vice presidential candidate of ADC, and in our own nature, the way we do things, whenever such issue arises… we always go internally to negotiate, to dialogue democratically, so that we can reach compromise and come back together as one to move on," Okonkwo said. He clarified that his earlier stance was not an opposition to Amaechi's nomination itself, but rather an argument that the Southeast region deserved consideration for geopolitical balance, having not produced a president or vice president since 1999. Okonkwo noted that the departure of Peter Obi, a key Igbo presidential aspirant within the ADC, had limited the party's options under the Electoral Act. Therefore, he explained, Atiku Abubakar selected Amaechi because of his close ties to the Southeast. "That was why the excellency Atiku Abubakar still went to the nearest person that is closest to the southeast. In other words, for you to know that he has nothing against the Igbo people," Okonkwo stated. He added that after the rationale behind the choice was clearly explained and assurances were given that the interests of the Southeast would be protected, he accepted the decision. "When everything was now stated very well, and the interest of Ndigbo and Southeast was now recognized and guaranteed, then it was a go-go for me, and we are now one big and happy family," he concluded.

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The ADC has announced Rotimi Amaechi as the vice presidential candidate of ADC, and in our own nature, the way we do things, whenever such issue arises… we always go internally to negotiate, to dialogue democratically, so that we can reach compromise and come back together as one to move on.