Confusion In ADC As Party Refuses To Confirm Amaechi–Atiku Ticket Claim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has refused to confirm reports suggesting that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has selected former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

Several media reports in recent days had claimed that Atiku had settled for Amaechi, the former Rivers State governor, as his vice-presidential candidate. Amaechi had finished second in the party’s recently concluded presidential primary, behind Atiku.

However, when contacted on Saturday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not verify the reports.

“I don’t have that confirmation. I cannot confirm for you at this time,” Abdullahi said in a telephone interview with Premium Times.

When asked whether consultations on the choice of a running mate were still ongoing, the party spokesperson declined to give further details.

“All I can tell you is that I don’t have that information. You asked me to confirm something, and I have said I do not have any information on that,” he added.

Abdullahi, however, noted that the party would eventually announce its vice-presidential candidate.

“Definitely, we will have a running mate. But I cannot confirm the specific question you are asking right now. If I receive further information, I will communicate it,” he said.

Speculation about a possible Atiku–Amaechi ticket has intensified since the conclusion of the ADC presidential primary, which Atiku won ahead of Amaechi and other contenders.

Reports had suggested that the former vice-president was considering a North-East/South-South ticket pairing, with Atiku from Adamawa State and Amaechi from Rivers State.

Meanwhile, ADC chieftain Chukwuemeka Eze has cautioned against circulating claims that Amaechi rejected any vice-presidential offer.

Eze was responding to comments credited to party leader Dele Momodu, which suggested that the former transportation minister was unwilling to accept the position.

In a statement, Eze said there was no evidence that Amaechi had declined any such offer, noting that the former minister only stated after the primaries that he had not been approached regarding the role.

He urged party members to avoid speculation that could create unnecessary tension within the ADC.