Vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on leaders and supporters of the party to return to their states and wards to intensify their campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, made the call at the ADC National Women League Conference in Abuja. He emphasized the need for opposition leaders to mobilize voters at the grassroots if the ADC is to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress at the presidential election.
Amaechi recalled how the APC mobilized women and other grassroots supporters during the 2015 election, when the party defeated the Peoples Democratic Party at the centre. He said the same level of mobilization would be required if the ADC is to challenge the APC in 2027. Amaechi urged members of the party to take the campaign beyond Abuja and into their respective states and wards. He announced that he would return to Rivers State as part of the political mobilization ahead of the elections.
Amaechi linked his call for mobilization to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, arguing that the current cost of living could become an important issue during the 2027 election campaign. He claimed that the number of out-of-school children had increased significantly, while also alleging that more Nigerians had been pushed into poverty. Amaechi cited statistics, stating that 10 and 12 million out-of-school children existed when he left government, but now there are 20 million out-of-school children.
Also speaking at the event, Hajiya Titi Atiku Abubakar urged ADC supporters, particularly women, to intensify their mobilization and persuade voters to support the party. She said the rising cost of living had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities, including medicines and education. Atiku Abubakar implored women to take action and not let themselves be bought with food or other inducements.
Amaechi’s comments came amid growing opposition consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with several political groups exploring the possibility of cooperation against the APC. A fresh round of consultations intensified after a closed-door meeting between ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and coalition leaders at his Abuja residence. The meeting was attended by National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, as well as other political figures involved in efforts to bring opposition parties together.
Members of Atiku’s campaign council were also said to have attended the meeting, which was part of broader consultations among opposition parties and political leaders. The engagement aimed to broaden and strengthen the coalition’s capacity to defeat the APC in 2027 and give Nigeria a new lease on life. Other opposition figures and groups have also been discussing ways to reduce the number of presidential candidates who may contest the 2027 election separately.
The Movement for Credible Elections has commenced consultations with opposition presidential candidates and political parties as part of efforts to facilitate the emergence of a common opposition presidential candidate. Among those identified for consultations are Atiku, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, and other presidential candidates. Another initiative, known as G100, has also been consulting with opposition parties and political leaders to forge a united front against the APC.
Key points
- Rotimi Amaechi calls on ADC supporters to return to their states and wards to intensify campaign ahead of 2027 presidential election.
- Amaechi links call for mobilization to economic difficulties facing Nigerians, citing increased poverty and out-of-school children.
- Opposition parties and leaders engage in consultations ahead of 2027 presidential election to forge a united front against the APC.
