The Southern Political Progressives Amalgamation Forum (SPPAF) has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to pick former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the former minister lacks the political influence to strengthen the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s electoral prospects.
In a statement issued on Friday, the forum’s spokespersons, Johnson Iheanacho, Eniafe Ayomide and Anga Fidelis, said the emergence of the opposition coalition on the platform of the ADC had given many Nigerians hope of a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group, however, said reports suggesting that Atiku may select Amaechi as his running mate were troubling, citing the former governor’s previous criticism of Atiku during the party’s presidential primary.
According to the forum, Amaechi publicly questioned Atiku’s ability to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also dismissed suggestions that he could serve as Atiku’s running mate, raising concerns about his commitment to the coalition.
“The reports that Atiku may pick Amaechi as his running mate are worrying. The former minister no longer has the political influence needed to attract votes for the ADC.
“Amaechi cannot deliver Rivers State or the wider Niger Delta to the party and would become a political liability instead of an electoral asset,” the group said.
The forum also criticised Amaechi’s record as governor of Rivers State, alleging that his administration left salary arrears, unpaid pensions, the abandoned monorail project and prolonged court closures, among other issues that it claimed diminished his popularity.
It further alleged that politicians backed by Amaechi have consistently lost elections in Rivers State since 2015, which it said reflected his declining political relevance in the state.
The group also referred to reports alleging that Amaechi demanded control of key ministries and government agencies as part of discussions over the vice-presidential ticket, although it acknowledged that the claims have not been independently verified.
The forum advised Atiku to choose a running mate with stronger grassroots support and broader electoral appeal, arguing that such a decision would improve the ADC’s chances of defeating the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
