The proposed opposition coalition is considering former Transportation Minister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi as its likely presidential candidate for the 2027 election, following a growing deadlock between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
The coalition, which includes key political figures and groups, has also begun discussions about forming a new political party, to be named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
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Amaechi, who turned 60 on May 27, came into focus after Peter Obi insisted on contesting the presidency again with his former running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. Meanwhile, efforts to persuade Atiku to step down from another run have not yet succeeded.
During his 60th birthday lecture, Amaechi revealed that he had earlier told President Bola Tinubu he would not support his presidential bid.
“I told him I would not be involved in his electioneering,” he said, adding that the events of the past two years had “vindicated” his stance, particularly over Tinubu’s ability to unify Nigeria.
A member of the coalition’s steering team revealed that the private lecture, themed “Weaponising Hunger,” was designed to quietly test public reaction to Amaechi’s possible 2027 presidential ambition.
“With the way the coalition is going, some of us have noticed the unyielding positions of Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi. Although we are still trying to extract commitments from the former vice president to shelve another presidential contest in 2027, Obi seems adamant on contesting with Datti Baba-Ahmed as his deputy.
“On the other hand, we have discovered that time is of the essence. It is possible that the two former presidential candidates may not reconsider their stance. So, some of us have resolved to put Amaechi on the ready. After all, he came second in the APC presidential primary.”
The source also revealed that the Muhammadu Buhari camp within the APC is quietly backing Amaechi, seeing him as a better alternative to Atiku or Obi. Though both Atiku and Obi are believed to be open to serving only one term, Amaechi is already seen as limited to one term due to power rotation (zoning) arrangements.