Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi stated that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar meets the qualifications to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, but age and physical capacity must also factor in.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Amaechi—who is seeking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential nomination—emphasized that presidential bids require more than credentials. “He’s qualified and has every right to run,” Amaechi said. “But other elements, beyond regional origin, come into play.”
The ex-Rivers State governor argued the role demands vigor to travel nationwide and tackle issues head-on. He pointed to Benin’s recent election of a 49-year-old president, contrasting it with claims from Nigeria’s President Tinubu (74) and Atiku (80). “The job needs someone who can rise early, visit states, and lead from the front in battles against our challenges,” Amaechi added.
Rejecting ethnic or regional politics, Amaechi positioned himself as a national candidate: “They’re all pushing regional agendas, but I’m not—I’m not running because I’m partially Igbo.” He opposed Atiku’s idea of ADC picking a nominee via consensus rather than primaries.
On zoning, Amaechi stuck to his PDP-era view favoring the best-qualified contender over north-south divides. He also slammed religion’s role in politics, citing 2023 support for Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket as a factor in Nigeria’s woes. “Ditch region, ethnicity, and faith-based choices—they got us here,” he urged.
