ADC Names Amaechi as Atiku’s Running Mate for 2027 Presidential Election

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially named former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 general election.

The announcement was made on Monday by the party's spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the decision followed extensive consultations across the party and its coalition partners. The development puts an end to weeks of speculation surrounding Atiku's choice of running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

Atiku emerged as the ADC presidential candidate after winning the party's primary election in May with 1,846,370 votes. Amaechi finished second with 504,117 votes, while former FSB International Bank Managing Director, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, came third with 177,120 votes.

According to Abdullahi, the selection of Amaechi was based on his extensive public service experience and broad political influence across the country.

“The proposed partnership between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi represents more than a political alliance; it is the coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach and leadership capacity required to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson described Amaechi as one of Nigeria's most experienced political leaders, citing his service as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022.

Abdullahi argued that Amaechi's experience across both the executive and legislative arms of government makes him a strategic complement to Atiku's candidacy.

He added that the partnership offers Nigerians what the party describes as a truly national ticket capable of promoting economic recovery, national unity, security and inclusive development.

The Atiku-Amaechi ticket is expected to form a central part of the ADC's strategy as political parties begin positioning for the 2027 presidential election.