Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he would defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if chosen as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on Saturday during an X Spaces conversation, Amaechi said he is familiar with Tinubu’s political style and that gives him an edge.
“I’ve not had an election against Tinubu. I know Tinubu very well. I know his strengths. I know his weaknesses. And I know that if allowed to fly the flag of ADC, I will defeat Tinubu for sure,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also insisted he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, stating that he has consistently declined appointments to serve on the All Progressives Congress (APC) election planning committees.
“I challenge any politician, living or dead, to say I was part of rigging,” Amaechi said. “All the appointments given to me by APC to join election planning committees, I refused. I know what they discuss. I listen to them. I hear them. If I get the ticket, I will reveal those things.”
He alleged that election rigging in Nigeria often involves state governors and the diversion of public funds through government agencies.
“They will bring governors. They will go to government agencies and get money, but the rest I don’t want to say until I win the primaries,” he added.
Amaechi pledged that if elected president, he would end electoral malpractice. “I will never participate in any rigging whatsoever. My promise going forward is to stop rigging,” he said.
During the discussion, Amaechi also revealed that he and former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, initiated talks that birthed the current opposition coalition.
The group, which has adopted the ADC as its political platform includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.