Barely 24 hours after former Transportation Minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was officially named the Vice-Presidential candidate of the coalition opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), two publicists, Chude Jideonwo and Ozioma Ubabukoh, are being recommended to manage the Atiku/Amaechi presidential campaign.
Jideonwo's Background
Jideonwo, a long-term ally of the former Rivers State governor, played similar roles when Amaechi served as the Director General of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation. He, alongside Debola Williams, oversaw Red Media, which handled new media content messaging during the All Progressives Congress (APC) debut on the presidential ballot in 2015. However, both men parted ways shortly after to pursue individual interests, leaving Red Media in the hands of a managing director they employed.
Ubabukoh's Qualifications
Ubabukoh, who runs Plexus, served as spokesperson to former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili and was her media consultant during her presidential contest in the 2023 poll. Those supporting Ubabukoh argue that apart from being well spoken, his connection with Gen Z content creators and media practitioners through various social media platforms would be a huge asset to the AA Presidential Campaign.
Internal Dynamics
Sources within the ADC presidential circles confided that the VP nominee convinced his principal, Atiku, that a refreshing approach is needed in media management of the ADC ticket. They stressed that the credibility of the ticket could be hampered if left in the hands of tricky operatives. “Based on the valid points raised by our VP nominee, Atiku’s former spokesman became incensed and was livid with rage. The decision to do away with the former Nollywood legend was yet to be resolved before news filtered in that he has quit,” the source explained.
The source disclosed that the ADC knows a lot would be thrown at it, noting that with Amaechi coming on board as part of the engine room of the Presidential campaign, many remarkable changes are being worked out.
Okonkwo's Exit
Checks showed that shortly after ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi announced Amaechi as the party’s deputy presidential runner, Atiku’s former spokesman Kenneth Okonkwo protested the marginalization of the South East in the party. In a post on his X handle, Okonkwo, who is facing multiple court cases for defamation, stated: “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. I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.”
