Emerging discussions within Nigeria’s evolving opposition coalition suggest that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, may be considered as a potential consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. This development follows growing concerns over the insistence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to contest again with their 2023 running mates, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Amaechi, who marked his 60th birthday on May 27, indirectly tested the waters for a presidential bid during a lecture organized in his honour. At the event, he disclosed that he had informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he would not support his 2023 candidacy, citing concerns over Tinubu’s ability to unify the country. According to Amaechi, the events of the last two years have justified his position.
A source within the coalition’s steering committee revealed that the birthday lecture, themed “Weaponising Hunger,” was deliberately limited to invited guests due to the sensitive political undertones. The source noted that while efforts are ongoing to persuade Atiku to step down from the 2027 race, Obi remains firm on running with Baba-Ahmed again. “With time running out, and both Atiku and Obi showing no signs of backing down, some of us believe we need a third option,” the source said. “Amaechi, who came second in the APC presidential primaries, is seen as a viable alternative with broad appeal.”
The former President Muhammadu Buhari camp within the APC has shown preference for Amaechi over both Atiku and Obi. It was further hinted that Amaechi may be restricted to a one-term presidency, aligning with the one-term pledges reportedly made by Atiku and Obi.
Meanwhile, Dr. Umar Ardo, a co-convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), confirmed ongoing discussions about forming a new political party as a neutral platform for the coalition. He dismissed suggestions that the new platform is being designed to favour Atiku’s presidential ambition. Ardo, who contested the 2023 Adamawa State governorship election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), warned against merging into existing political parties such as the SDP or African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing structural challenges and susceptibility to manipulation by incumbents. “There are existing structures in these parties that could be compromised. Creating a new platform ensures that we control the momentum and avoid systemic sabotage,” he argued.
Commenting on the impasse between Atiku and Obi, Ardo acknowledged Atiku’s preference for working through existing parties but maintained that his own support for a new party does not equate to backing Atiku’s presidential run.
Political analyst and coalition stakeholder Dr. Katch Ononuju also weighed in, insisting that Obi’s right to contest in 2027 is non-negotiable and must be respected if the coalition is to hold.
Should the coalition succeed in registering a new political party—tentatively called the All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—observers will be watching closely to see whether Atiku and Obi pursue separate bids under SDP and ADC respectively, while Amaechi possibly emerges as ADA’s flagbearer.
