A week ago, H.E Rotimi Amaechi was selected as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON’s running mate for the 2027 Presidential Election. The former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria’s main opposition party, picked Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON — one of the nation’s most accomplished and widely respected statesmen — to complete his ticket.
To some, this choice is surprising. Given Amaechi’s towering stature and pedigree in public service, a few wondered whether the role of deputy could fully match the scale of his ambition for Nigeria. Perhaps some context is needed here. Amaechi is not one of those politicians who approach public life as a means to feather their nests and negotiate a cut for themselves. For Amaechi, service to the nation has always been bigger than any single office or title, and the seriousness of his purpose has never been in doubt. It is precisely this readiness to place country above personal aggrandisement that makes him the ideal partner for this moment. However, to most discerning political analysts, at this juncture, the choice of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as VP goes without saying and remains the best option for the ticket, the party and Nigerians as a whole.
The reasons for this are not far fetched.
The combination of Alhaji Abubakar and Amaechi offers Nigerians the rare opportunity of having two Presidents on one ticket. While some may see this as a recipe for disaster, those who feel this way as justified as they may be, are ignorant of the context of this particular situation.
Alhaji Abubakar has a well established record as a highly detribalised Nigerian, one who values merit and hardwork over puerile sentiments. Alhaji Abubakar is known to be one who constantly provides platforms and shares opportunities for growth and development with his friends, allies and partners, and allows all to shine. Alhaji Abubakar has by actions built a reputation across the Nation as a friend to all and a strong believer in the strength of our diversity and our unity as a people. His activities in business politics and philanthropy has earned him the well deserved moniker ”The Unifier”.
Over the course of his attempts to be President and even in previous offices held, Alhaji Abubakar has exhibited a knack for picking deputies who are more than capable of holding their own, independently. As Adamawa State Gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, he went with Mr. Boni Haruna, cerebral and highly respected statesman as his running mate. When he was selected to be the running mate to the then Presidential Candidate, Mr. Haruna was supported by Alhaji to become Governor and ran the state for 8 years without any form of interference from Alhaji Abubakar.
In 2019 he chose Mr. Peter Obi who had just completed his second term as Governor of Anambra State and had his eyes set firmly on transitioning to National politics. In 2023, he chose Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, a sitting Governor at the time. Both Sen. Okowa and Mr. Obi can be said to be ambitious politicians with a long political career ahead of them. In effect, Alhaji Abubakar has established that he has no qualms working with credible leaders and has no fear of them outshining him. This shows a leader interested in the success of the nation more than he cares for his own personal aggrandisement. This shows a leader who isn’t moved by hero worship and faux obeisance but one who provides a platform for all to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Under an Alhaji Abubakar led administration, we would not have a sitting duck VP, we’ll have a VP who will not only fulfill his constitutionally allowed role, but go beyond that to actively drive implementation of Governmental policies and plans.
Chibuike Amaechi on the other hand didn’t enter this contest to settle for the VP position. He carried out an articulate and well run campaign built solely on his experience, expertise, competence and legacies in public office, focused on the immense possibilities that would happen under an administration headed by him and devoid of any form of insults and mudslinging.
Amaechi has consistently rebuffed every effort geared towards destabilising the ADC, choosing the strength of the party over himself.
Amaechi represents the best hope of the South. He provides leadership that focuses on improving the standard of living of the common man, building and strengthening institutions and delivering high level results that promote unity and inclusivity.
Amaechi just like Atiku is at home with everyone. A Knight of the Roman Catholic Church who holds the deeply revered and highly influential traditional title of Dan Amanar Daura, Amaechi is known nationally as a leader who is trustworthy, one who approaches critical national issues with fairness and firmness. By his very nature, he’s at home with the rich and the poor, adherents of all religions and members of all tribes. Just like Alhaji Abubakar, he has an intense dislike for the government’s failure and self aggrandisement. As Governor and as Minister, his projects and policies came from the perspective of first understanding our problems and solving them holistically.
While some people might argue that Amaechi lacks the temperament to be a Vice, they fail to take into consideration his hunger for a better and more prosperous Nigeria. As Minister of Transportation, he demonstrated a deep understanding of the hidden nuances of governance at the Federal level and demonstrated a high level of loyalty to the then President.
For Chibuike Amaechi, service to country is bigger than any ambition and trumps any egotistical battles. Humility in service is second nature to him. This in collaboration with Alhaji Abubakar’s well established style of respecting and honouring his partners guarantees a seamless working relationship while in office.
In choosing Chibuike Amaechi, Alhaji has a ready partner with a national track record of fighting insecurity successfully, sustainably empowering youths and executing high value projects of critical national importance.
The presence of these two on one ticket offers the ADC and Nigerians a unique opportunity. Two highly detribalised Nigerians, one with the experience, the other with the hunger and vigor to make a difference.
This ticket represents Nigeria’s most dynamic ticket, especially in the 4th Republic. Alhaji Abubakar is at home in any region or geopolitical zone. He has name recognition in every community of this country and has demonstrated an ability to turn this popularity into votes. Chibuike Amaechi is well respected across the Nation and is much loved, respected and trusted in the North. Alhaji Abubakar’s presence on the ticket compliments Amaechi’s efforts to mobilise the south to back the ticket. It makes the job of selling the ticket and the party easier in the South. Conversely, the choice of Amaechi as running materials cements Alhaji Abubakar’s efforts in the North. It has convinced neutrals and those who doubted the seriousness of Alhaji’s ambition. In other words, Alhaji’s presence on the ticket increases greatly votes gathering and elite consensus building efforts in the South, while Amaechi’s addition convinces the people of the North that Alhaji Abubakar is one to be trusted and is highly deserving of all votes this time around.
For the first time, a political party has presented two credible candidates, who are at home in each other’s geopolitical zones and are trusted by the leaders and people of each other’s home.
Two Nigerians with a track record of enthroning merit, a deep understanding and respect of our divisions and diversity as a people, and with a shared dream to build a better Nigeria for all. Two Nigerians with deep respect and understanding for each other ensuring that differences in style and opinion can easily be remedied.
Perhaps most important of all is that this is the unifying combination Nigerians need. A President and his Vice who are above the petty ethnic and religious squabbles that have plagued us and severely affected our progress as a Nation. A team that will execute projects and implement policies on the basis of our national needs and designed to protect the masses in execution and implementation.
This perhaps explains the panic that envelopes the incumbent and his team when word broke that what was hitherto whispered has been let out into the open. The fear generated by the combination of these two competent, much loved and well respected Nigerians drove the forces of darkness to panic and resulted in a rushed judgment that brought further disrepute to the judiciary and exposed the desperation of those in power.
Nigeria’s fragile unity demands equity in sharing political offices as a way to ensure our unity and togetherness. This is the reason why most people feel that this being the turn of the South, Alhaji Abubakar has no business on the ballot and a personality like Amaechi should not be deputising him. While respecting the merits of this argument, it is important to remind Nigerians that mere domiciling of a position aim a geopolitical zone, state or tribe does not guarantee fairness, inclusivity and good governance. The present administration of Asiwaju Tinubu is less of a Southern Presidency and more of a Lagos/Ogun Presidency. What benefit can other regions of the South point to, save for token projects and appointments to a few? The debilitating economic hardship brought about by this administration’s policies are felt by all and sundry. Rather than bring us together, this administration has divided us along ethnic and regional lines more than any other administration since independence.
Unity and togetherness is achieved by actions not platitudes. With Atiku and Amaechi, every action, every policy, every project will be driven by national cohesion and togetherness. Issues will be dealt with on their merit, appointments and projects will be shared equitably, with an eye on the impact of governance on the common man.
With this ticket, our fragile unity has an opportunity to be strengthened and our diversity as a people stands a better chance of being respected, explored and developed positively for our overall progress as a people.
The choice of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by Alhaji Abubakar and the ADC is bold and strategic masterstroke, one that recognises Amaechi’s value and experience pre and post elections, and at the same time displays a deep respect for the South South geopolitical zone, the proverbial Goose, that lays Nigeria’s golden eggs!
—
← All blogs & analysis