The African Democratic Congress, ADC, was literally divided, yesterday, over reported emergence of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi as South-South consensus presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 polls.
Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister, was reportedly endorsed as consensus candidate of the South-South ADCat the meeting of zonal leaders in the Benin, Edo State home of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
However, two national officers of the ADC from the South-South, who attended the meeting disagreed over Amaechi’s endorsement by the leaders.
While Usani Uguru Usani, national vice chairman, South-South, said Amaechi was adopted, Jackie Wayas, deputy national publicity secretary, disagreed.
This was as the Obidient Movement, which is backing the aspiration of former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, said Amaechi was not endorsed by the South-South zone.
However, Amaechi posted a video on his WhatsApp where Odigie-Oyegun said the leaders of South-South had agreed to support the presidential aspiration. of Amaechi.
Amaechi, who came second to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the 2022 All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primaries, formally informing the leaders of the party in the South South zone of his decision to run for the office of the President under the party.
The former Transportation Minister was said to have told the leaders that he felt that its was only proper for him to start the race by informing the leaders of his South South zone and formally seek their support and endorsement before going to other zones and other parts of the country.
He spoke about why he’s the best man for the job and his ability to lead Nigeria with proven track record of service to the people.
Usani Uguru Usani, former Minister of Niger Delta from Cross River State spoke on the need for unity in the zone behind Amaechi as it was a great privilege to have one of their own, who’s very accomplished and very qualified that is running for the office of President in the party.
Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Deputy National Chairman of the ADC spoke in support of Amaechi’s move to run for the President. Other speakers include former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke and Professor Pat Utomi.
Chairman of the meeting of Leader of the ADC in the South-South zone, (Odigie-Oyegun reportedly asked Uchendu to move a motion on whether the zone should support Amaechi’s presidential bid. Displeased with the way Uchendu framed the motion, Odigie-Oyegun was said haveasked the question directly and the meeting unanimously agreed to support Amaech’s Presidential run for the ADC presidential ticket.
We unanimously endorsed Amaechi— Usani
Clarifying what transpired at the meeting following counter-claims, Usani said: “Whereas the forum ignited certain issues of internal leadership organisation within the ADC in the SS, the following developments, amongst others, ensued:
“ Rotimi Amaechi declared his interest in bidding for the presidential seat in the 2027 election.
“He solicited our support as people from his geopolitical base.
“There was a suggestion for a motion to uphold the request. “A brief remark was made to recap the request and the import of having a general opinion on the issue by the regional leader, H. E. Chief J. Odigie-Oyegun
“Ultimately, he called for a voice vote to respond to this appeal.
“At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative “AY” while a contra call had no “NAY” response.
“This applause was a pledge to support him, which can be interpreted as endorsement.
“Notably, this development does not compel individual actions based on conviction. It does not also imply that support base for other aspirants within the zone is non-existent.
“I find it compelling to offer this step-by-step procedure in order to guarantee the integrity of participants and equally secure the harmony of the forum as we look forward to more challenging eventualities in our general struggle.”
