I’m ADC’s Most Qualified Presidential Aspirant” — Rotimi Amaechi Sparks Political Firestorm

The former Minister of Transportation argued that his long years of leadership experience, combined with what he described as his relative youth, give him an edge over other contenders for the party’s ticket.

He made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Arise Television.

The ADC presidential race also includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Northern Nigeria Development Company chief executive Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

When asked why he should be preferred over the other aspirants, Amaechi pointed to the various leadership roles he has held over the years, saying they set him apart.

He said he considers himself the most experienced among the contenders, adding that he is “the youngest but most experienced.”

Amaechi noted that he previously served as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, a position he said none of his rivals have held, including President Bola Tinubu.

He also referenced his time as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and as chairman of the Speakers’ Forum, saying those roles gave him significant administrative experience.

According to him, he not only led the Speakers’ Conference but also established its office in Abuja and ran the body for two terms.

He further stated that he was the first person to serve two terms as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, describing the second tenure as controversial at the time.

Amaechi added that the presidency at the time opposed his return, recalling a conversation in which he was accused of turning the Governors’ Forum into a “labour union,” a claim he dismissed by saying he only communicated the decisions made by governors.