Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he possesses the political insight and strategy to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election — but only if he emerges as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flagbearer ahead of former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Amaechi made the bold claim during an X Spaces conversation on Saturday, where he outlined his political record, his stance against election malpractice, and his familiarity with Tinubu’s political style.
“I’ve never had an election against Tinubu. I know him very well — his strengths and his weaknesses. If the ADC allows me to fly their flag, I will defeat Tinubu for sure,” Amaechi stated.
‘I Have Never Rigged an Election’
The former Minister of Transportation insisted that throughout his political career, he has never participated in electoral fraud. According to him, he consistently turned down invitations to serve on the All Progressives Congress (APC) election planning committees because of the questionable activities discussed behind closed doors.
“I challenge any politician, living or dead, to say I was part of rigging. All the appointments given to me by APC to join election planning committees, I refused. I know what they discuss. I hear them. If I get the ticket, I will reveal those things,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that electoral malpractice in Nigeria often involves state governors and the misuse of public funds through government agencies.
“They will bring governors, they will go to government agencies and get money. The rest, I will not say until I win the primaries,” he added.
Vows to End Election Manipulation
Amaechi reaffirmed his commitment to clean elections, pledging never to engage in any form of rigging.
“I will never participate in any rigging whatsoever, and I will not do it. What I promise to do now, going forward, is to stop rigging,” he said.
He further challenged Nigerians to produce any evidence that he had ever been involved in election manipulation, promising to apologize publicly if such proof surfaced.
On Peter Obi and the 2023 Election in Rivers
The former governor also made a surprising admission regarding the 2023 presidential election results in Rivers State, acknowledging that Peter Obi likely secured victory there.
“I would agree to an extent that Peter Obi won in Rivers State, but unfortunately, the result that came out was different. How it happened, I have no idea,” Amaechi said.
This sets the stage for what could be a dramatic showdown in 2027, should Amaechi officially join the presidential race under the ADC banner, potentially challenging some of Nigeria’s most formidable political heavyweights.
