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.
Efforts to get Amaechi and Odigie-Oyegun did not yield dividends
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.”
Consultation isn’t endorsement — Wayas
However, National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Jackie Wayas, disagreed. She said the meeting brought together key stakeholders to review the party’s progress and agree on a coordinated way forward.
She noted that leaders present included Amaechi and former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke.
Wayas said that during the session, Amaechi formally notified the regional leadership of his intention to contest the party’s presidential ticket, describing the move as a routine consultative step with his geopolitical zone in line with party tradition.
However, she stressed that consultation should not be mistaken for endorsement.
“Consultation must not be misconstrued as endorsement. Engagement does not amount to adoption,” Wayas said.
She explained that leaders were clear the purpose of the gathering was to strengthen unity and consolidate the party’s base, not to confer support on any aspirant.
According to her, Imoke reaffirmed the South-South chapter’s commitment to cohesion and strategic growth of the party, urging members to remain aligned with the broader vision of building a formidable regional and national structure.
Wayas issued an explicit disclaimer on the outcome of the meeting.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no candidate was endorsed at the meeting. At no point before, during, or after the gathering was any motion introduced, resolution passed, vote conducted, or consensus reached in support of any aspirant,” she said.
She also dismissed suggestions that party elders acted outside established procedures, describing such claims as unfounded.
Wayas referenced the record of former APC national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, noting that allegations of procedural breaches were inconsistent with his reputation for institutional discipline.
“Given the longstanding record of leaders such as John Odigie-Oyegun, whose career reflects a deep respect for due process and institutional order, such claims are highly implausible. It would be inconsistent with his legacy to undermine the democratic frameworks he has consistently upheld,” Wayas said.
She reaffirmed that the power to nominate and elect candidates rests with constitutionally recognised organs of the ADC and its members, not with a handful of leaders at a zonal consultation.
Wayas added that the South-South leaders resolved to continue working together to build a stronger and more united ADC capable of advancing its vision both within the region and across the country.
Amaechi was not endorsed —Obidient Movt
Speaking on the issue in a telephone chat with Sunday Vanguard, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said ADC leaders had denied endorsing Amaechi.
“They denied it. They said it was not an endorsement. Mr Amaechi came visiting and told them he was running.”
Told that Usani confirmed that Amaechi was endorsed, Tanko said: “There is another commentator saying it did not happen like that.”
We unanimously support Amaechi – Oyegun
Efforts to reach Amaechi and Odigie-Oyegun last night did not bear fruits.
However, Amaechi posted a video on his WhatsApp status where Odigie-Oyegun, confirmed that leaders of the party in South-South have unanimously adopted him as their consensus candidate.
In the video, Odigie-Oyegun, while addressing newsmen, disclosed that a unanimous decision was taken to give Amaechi all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.
“We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of the meeting to brief us on his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation. We were very pleased to thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone, for not letting loose his zone, and for setting up his own personal structure by ensuring, like any good son, that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it.
“We were pleased, and I can report a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.
“We are going to meet regularly to interact to learn from each other’s experience so that the South-South zone will become an example to be emulated by other zones in the nation. I think that is basically our decision.
“We hope the government will approach the run-up to the election and allow peace and stability to reign and eschew violence in the run-up to the election in 2027. We as ADC are committed to doing all that it takes to win.”
