Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to consider presenting a southern presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, citing the need to respect Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement.
Amaechi spoke in Kano on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as three critical factors the party must weigh in choosing its flag bearer: competence, age and the current balance of power in the country.
According to him, the ADC must put forward a candidate who would be acceptable to the southern part of Nigeria.
“I will support whoever emerges. But I also advise the ADC to look around and identify the best material [aspirant] that can convince Nigerians that things will be turned around,” Amaechi said.
He added, “First is capacity, second is age, and the third, which is the last point, is to respect the unwritten law of power [rotation], which is the [turn] of the south.”
The former Rivers State governor argued that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure before power returns to the North, noting that such an arrangement would make political participation easier for southern aspirants.
Amaechi warned that fielding a northern candidate at a time when many southerners believe power should remain in the South could hurt the ADC’s chances in the region.
“If you elect somebody from the north, I’m not saying we won’t campaign [for the candidate], but it will be difficult to convince the south to give up power,” he said.
Despite his preference for a southern candidate, Amaechi stressed that party unity remains paramount and that he would stand by whoever emerges as the ADC’s presidential nominee.
“Whether it is a southerner or a northerner is immaterial; I will support whoever emerges at the primary,” he said.
Amaechi had in July 2025 declared his readiness to serve a single term if he clinches the ADC ticket and wins the presidency in 2027. He said at the time that he would step down after four years to allow power rotation to return to the North, which he believes is necessary for political stability.
His latest comments add fresh momentum to the zoning debate already shaping early alignments ahead of the 2027 contest.
