Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has explained why the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, chose former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate for the 2027 election instead of picking a candidate from the South-East.
Mr Okonkwo, an aide to Atiku, made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday.
He said Atiku’s decision was meant to show that he has nothing against the Igbo people despite not selecting a vice-presidential candidate from the South-East.
The chieftain explained that he had earlier preferred the vice-presidential slot to go to the South-East because the region had not produced either a president or vice president since 1999.
“I said I would have favourably been disposed by the choice to have come from Southeast, not South-South, because Southeast has not produced the president or vice from 1999,” he said.
Okonkwo said the situation changed after Peter Obi, who sought the ADC presidential ticket, left the party’s nomination process, leaving the South-East with fewer options under the Electoral Act.
According to him, Atiku eventually settled for Amaechi because of his close ties to the South-East.
“That was why the excellency Atiku Abubakar still went to the nearest person that is closest to the southeast. In other words, for you to know that he has nothing against the Igbo people,” Okonkwo said.
He also dismissed suggestions that he opposed Amaechi’s nomination, saying his concerns were only about ensuring fair representation for the South-East.
Okonkwo added that the ADC was handling concerns raised by members through internal discussions to keep the party united ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The ADC has announced Rotimi Amaechi as the vice presidential candidate of ADC, and in our own nature, the way we do things, whenever such issue arises… we always go internally to negotiate, to dialogue democratically, so that we can reach compromise and come back together as one to move on,” he said.
He further stated that he accepted the party’s decision after assurances were given that the interests of the South-East would be recognised and protected.
“When everything was now stated very well, and the interest of Ndigbo and Southeast was now recognized and guaranteed, then it was a go-go for me, and we are now one big and happy family,” he added.
