By Egufe Yafugborhi

ASABA – The Southern Political Progressives Amalgamation Forum has opposed the stakeholders’ push for former Transportation Minister Chibuike Amaechi as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement released Friday in Asaba, Delta State, and signed by Johnson Iheanacho, Eniafe Ayomide, and Anga Fidelis, the group said Amaechi’s remarks before and during the party’s presidential primaries, along with his dwindling electoral influence, raise concerns about the pairing’s viability.

“Before the coalition coalesced under the ADC, Nigerians had resigned themselves to four more years of hardship under the Tinubu administration. The hope for a ‘New Nigeria’ that the ADC inspired remains alive. The party must protect that momentum,” the group stated.

Referencing Amaechi’s primary campaign, the group said the former minister “moved from one media platform to another with claims and vituperation, and appeared more focused on undermining Atiku and the ADC.

“In several videos, he described Atiku as a serial loser who would still lose to Tinubu even as the ADC candidate. At another point, he said he would not accept the role of running mate to Atiku or anyone else, and challenged a journalist who asked about it.”

Questioning the logic of the push for his selection as VP, the group noted, “If it is true that Atiku is considering Amaechi as a running mate… then Amaechi’s earlier criticisms of Atiku may carry weight, and it would suggest a gamble with Nigerians’ aspirations.”

Citing Amaechi’s dwindling performance in recent elections in Rivers State, the group said, “It is on record that he abandoned an election and could not win his ward in Ikwerre Local Government Area. If a candidate cannot deliver his ward, how can he deliver his LGA, let alone an entire state?”

It urged Atiku to select a running mate with “electoral value” from across the South to complement his support base.

“Yes, Amaechi’s CV is impressive on paper — two-term governor, two-term minister, two-term Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and Chairman of Speakers. On paper, that counts for something.

“In reality, since 2015, he has lost political leverage and now relies on media rhetoric. The mission remains: Tinubu must go. Atiku must avoid an unforced error that could turn probable victory into Tinubu’s advantage,” the group concluded.