The Southern Political Progressives Amalgamation Forum, SPPAF, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to pick former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Johnson Iheanacho, Eniafe Ayomide and Anga Fidelis on behalf of the forum in Abuja.
The statement says the coalition on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had given many Nigerians hope of a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It states that Amaechi’s public criticism of Atiku during the party’s presidential primary raised doubts about his loyalty, noting that he questioned Atiku’s chances of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also rejected suggestions that he could serve as Atiku’s running mate.
According to the statement, the forum says reports that Atiku may pick Amaechi as his running mate were worrying, arguing that the former minister no longer has the political influence needed to attract votes for the ADC.
According to the statement, Amaechi cannot deliver Rivers State or the wider Niger Delta to the party and would become a political liability instead of an electoral asset.
It also criticised Amaechi’s record as governor of Rivers State, citing alleged salary arrears, unpaid pensions, the abandoned monorail project, prolonged court closures and other decisions it claimed reduced his popularity.
It further alleges that politicians backed by Amaechi have continued to lose elections in Rivers State since 2015, showing what it described as his declining political influence.
The statement also referred to reports that Amaechi demanded control of key ministries and government agencies as part of discussions over the vice-presidential ticket, but acknowledged that the claims remain unverified.
It advises Atiku to choose a running mate with stronger grassroots support and wider electoral appeal, saying such a decision would improve the ADC’s chances of defeating the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
