ABT NEWS — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly selected former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as his vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 election under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The strategic move, aimed at solidifying an “AA” ticket, coincides with a scathing rebuke from Atiku against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Democracy Day.
Here is a breakdown of the political realignment and Atiku’s sweeping critique of the current administration.
The Emergence of the “AA” Ticket
Coming after weeks of rigorous political negotiations, the selection of Amaechi is seen as a direct counter-offensive to the rival Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which recently finalized an “OK” ticket pairing Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso for the January 2027 polls.
By bringing Amaechi on board, Atiku secures a North-East/South-South balance on the ADC’s presidential ballot. Political analysts note that Atiku appears to be course-correcting from his 2023 strategy, where his refusal to select Rivers State’s Nyesom Wike caused a significant fracture within his then-party.
Overcoming Initial Reluctance
Amaechi had initially resisted the idea of a secondary role. Shortly after purchasing his ₦90 million presidential nomination form, the former Transportation Minister publicly stated he was not positioning himself for a vice-presidential slot and ruled out stepping down for a consensus candidate.
However, sources indicate that Amaechi eventually yielded to immense pressure from highly placed political leaders across the North-West and South-South. According to a close ally, a major turning point was Atiku’s personal assurance that the vice-presidential nominee would be granted “extensive roles to play in the campaigns and government.”
A Warning on Democracy Day
Simultaneous to the running mate development, Atiku released a strongly worded statement commemorating the June 12 Democracy Day, heavily criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s APC administration. He accused the ruling party of actions that contradict the sacrifices and legacy of the June 12 struggle.
Atiku called on citizens to “stand up against bad governance, reject the politics of intimidation, and resist every manifestation of democratic backsliding.”
Key criticisms from Atiku’s address include:
- Targeting the Opposition: He alleged a deliberate, three-year effort by the administration to “weaken, fragment, and neutralise” opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections through manufactured crises and orchestrated defections.
- Weaponizing State Institutions: The former Vice President accused the government of transforming neutral institutions into “instruments of partisan warfare.” He specifically pointed to anti-graft agencies, the police, the National Assembly, and segments of the judiciary as being used to harass and coerce opposition voices into submission.
Atiku concluded his message by urging Nigerians to summon the courage of those who fought for freedom in the 1990s to ensure that the true meaning of June 12 is preserved.
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