Amaechi: Tinubu Won't Hand Over Power; Warns ADC to Unite for 2027

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to select a capable candidate, stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not give Nigerians power.

Speaking at the ADC convention in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi advised members to disregard ethnic and religious sentiments in their search for a nominee, warning that such biases could undermine the strength of their coalition.

The former Rivers governor said, “If you think President Tinubu will hand over power to you, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together and decide on a viable candidate."

“When we joined APC [before 2015], we searched for a viable candidate, and we succeeded. Ethnicity and religion will only take us back to where we started.”

Amaechi argued that only a credible, broadly acceptable candidate could unify the opposition and pose a real electoral threat to Tinubu in 2027.

He also accused President Tinubu’s government of undermining democratic freedoms, especially the opposition’s ability to organise politically.

Regarding the ADC convention preparations, the party had earlier revealed it was denied access to major venues in Abuja, including the Eagle Square and Moshood Abiola National Stadium, forcing it to relocate to the Rainbow Event Centre.

ADC’s national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi further alleged that pressure was mounted on the management of the venue to cancel the party’s reservation.

Reacting to the development, Amaechi questioned what he described as attempts to obstruct political assembly.

“Why would a government official try to deny people their constitutional right to gather?” He said.

“How can someone [Tinubu] who claims to be a democrat and once aligned with NADECO, Now act against democratic principles? If that is what they stood for, then it amounts to an attempt to punish Nigerians.”

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was formed in 1994 by pro-democracy advocates who demanded that Sani Abacha's military government hand over power to the rightful winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

He said public institutions are being used against citizens, stating that the government has failed to address the insecurity and economic hardship facing Nigerians.

“The situation is bad; it is terrible,” the former Rivers governor said.