The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is experiencing renewed internal strife following the selection of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 general election. Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent party member, voiced strong opposition to the decision on Monday, cautioning that choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the South-south could exacerbate feelings of marginalization in the South-east and diminish support for the ADC ticket in that region.
Okonkwo's Reaction to Amaechi's Nomination
Mr. Okonkwo's criticism emerged just hours after the ADC officially announced Mr. Amaechi as Mr. Atiku's running mate, describing the pair as a "unity and rescue ticket" ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The former Nollywood actor-turned-politician expressed disappointment, noting that the South-east has not produced a president or vice president since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. "I heard from social media that ADC has picked its vice-presidential candidate from the South-south. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-east," Mr. Okonkwo wrote in a post on X.
Concerns Over South-east Exclusion
Mr. Okonkwo argued that denying the South-east either the presidential or vice-presidential slot on the ADC ticket would perpetuate the region's exclusion from the highest political offices. He highlighted the sacrifices made by the South-east to support the opposition coalition, including relinquishing key positions within the party structure. "The ADC was founded by Ralph Nwosu from the South-east in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn't have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people," he stated. According to him, the South-east deserved consideration for the vice-presidential position if it was not producing the presidential candidate. "I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the presidential slot, it would amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027," he added.
Okonkwo's Appeal to Atiku
Mr. Okonkwo disclosed that he had previously urged Atiku, whom he described as presenting himself as a pathway to the South-east presidency, to demonstrate that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region. "The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-east, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-east to be his vice president," he stated. While wishing the former vice president well, Mr. Okonkwo said he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that excludes the South-east from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions. "I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-east origin as President or Vice President in 2027," he said.
ADC Defends Amaechi's Nomination
The ADC announced Mr. Amaechi as Mr. Atiku's running mate on Monday, stating that the decision followed extensive consultations within the party. In a statement signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Mr. Amaechi's emergence reflected his performance in the party's presidential primary, where he finished second behind Mr. Atiku, as well as his extensive record in public service. The party highlighted Mr. Amaechi's experience from his roles as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State, and a Minister of Transportation. According to the ADC, the former governor's political influence across the South-south and wider southern Nigeria, coupled with his coalition-building credentials, makes him well-positioned to complement Atiku's candidacy. The party said the Atiku-Amaechi ticket would provide Nigerians with a credible alternative focused on economic recovery, security, job creation and national unity.
Early Test for the Coalition
Mr. Okonkwo's criticism represents the first significant public disagreement since the ADC unveiled its presidential ticket. The coalition, which brings together politicians from different opposition blocs and former members of several political parties, has presented itself as a broad-based platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Political observers say Mr. Okonkwo's objections highlight the delicate balancing act facing the party as it seeks to unite diverse regional and political interests behind a single presidential ticket. The controversy also comes at a challenging period for the ADC, which is battling legal uncertainty after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others over alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements. The ADC has rejected the judgement and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels. Whether the disagreement over the vice-presidential nomination develops into a broader regional dispute within the ADC may become clearer in the coming weeks as the party begins preparations for the 2027 campaign.
