By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The South-South Zonal Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly distanced itself from statements made by its National Leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, regarding the alleged endorsement of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for the presidency.
A controversy emerged on Friday following a South-South leaders’ consultative meeting in Benin City, Edo State. Addressing the press afterward, Odigie-Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that Amaechi had used the gathering to formally declare his presidential ambition to regional stakeholders. He further stated that the response from those present was one of unanimous support.
“We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” Odigie-Oyegun was quoted as saying. “We thanked him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone… We are pleased, and I can report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.”
However, this narrative was swiftly and firmly contradicted by the party’s zonal leadership the following day. In a statement released on Saturday, the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, described reports of Amaechi’s endorsement as “misleading” and a misrepresentation of what transpired.
Oboh clarified that the February 27 meeting, hosted at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, brought together respected party elders, senior stakeholders, and state representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States. She stated that the primary purpose of the gathering was to deliberate on strengthening internal cohesion, deepening grassroots mobilisation, and strategically positioning the party for future electoral contests.
According to Oboh, to suggest that the party’s leadership would abandon its constitutional processes for an informal endorsement is “both inaccurate and illogical.”
While confirming that Amaechi did indeed inform regional leaders of his intention to seek the ADC’s presidential ticket, Oboh stressed that a consultation is not equivalent to an endorsement. She explained that simply receiving a prominent son of the South-South who came to brief his regional leaders could not be interpreted as a declaration of support.
“At no time, before, during, or after the meeting, was any motion moved, resolution adopted, vote taken, or consensus reached to endorse any aspirant,” her statement read emphatically.
The party’s zonal leadership used the opportunity to caution against the dangers of misinformation in political reporting, warning that it can mislead the public, undermine democratic processes, fuel unnecessary internal tension, and erode confidence in institutional procedures.
Oboh concluded by reiterating that the South-South elders remain united and committed to due process. “No endorsement took place, and any narrative suggesting otherwise is false and should be disregarded,” she said.
