Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed reports claiming he was offered the vice-presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Amaechi contested in the ADC presidential primary alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Managing Director of the defunct FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
At the end of the exercise held on Monday, Atiku emerged winner with 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes. Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes.
Following the primary, Amaechi rejected the outcome of the election, citing alleged irregularities and voter disenfranchisement. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor described the results as “concocted” and inconsistent with the democratic ideals the ADC promised Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview with media personality and broadcaster Chude Jideonwo, Amaechi revealed that consultations were held before the statement rejecting the results was released.
“Before the statement was made, there were consultations. We agreed that we should issue the statement. In fact, the final conclusion was between me and Hayatu-Deen,” he said.
Amaechi also confirmed meeting with David Mark, the national chairman of the ADC, but denied reports suggesting the discussion centred on him becoming Atiku’s running mate.
“I went to see the national chairman of ADC. After our discussion, he walked me to the exit door, I shook his hands and I left. We discussed something different from what they wrote about,” Amaechi stated.
He further dismissed speculations that he stormed out of the meeting after being asked to accept the vice-presidential slot.
“But people said I stormed out after he told me to run for VP. But I am not joking; nobody has ever told me to be vice-president because they know my worth and what will be my reaction,” he added.
Amaechi’s comments come amid growing controversy surrounding the ADC presidential primary, as Hayatu-Deen had also rejected the outcome over alleged rigging.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar recently met with Amaechi as part of ongoing efforts to reconcile aggrieved aspirants and strengthen party unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to the former vice president, the meeting focused on the collective mission to “rescue Nigeria.”
