Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has emphatically ruled out accepting any vice-presidential slot in the 2027 general election, insisting that his only political mission is to contest and win the presidency of Nigeria.
The former Rivers State governor issued the strong rebuttal following recent speculation that he could be considered as running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, should the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer fail to secure an alliance with Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
The speculation was triggered by comments from Atiku’s close associate and veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, who, in a newspaper interview, listed Amaechi among strong southern politicians capable of boosting a joint ticket.
In a swift response through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi distanced himself completely from any vice-presidential arrangement.
“Amaechi is not seeking to be running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate to anybody and will not,” Iyofor declared.
He added: “For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody. Politicians are kindly advised to leave Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate.”
The statement stressed that Amaechi remains convinced it is the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the next president after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, and he has chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as his platform to actualise that ambition.
This is not the first time the two-term Rivers governor has publicly declared his presidential interest on the ADC ticket. In August 2025, he vowed not to step down for any other aspirant during the party’s primary, maintaining that only the people should decide the flagbearer.
Amaechi had earlier contested the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, where he emerged runner-up to President Tinubu.
