Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi have formally submitted their nomination forms at the national secretariat of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The development marks a significant step in the growing political realignments ahead of the next general elections, as the ADC continues to attract influential political figures across the country.
In a statement shared via his X account on Thursday, Atiku described his presidential ambition as a national movement focused on restoring hope, prosperity and stability to Nigeria.
“The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the national secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” he wrote.
The former vice president said the movement transcends partisan politics and is driven by the collective resolve to rescue the country from its current challenges.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” Atiku stated.
He further appealed to Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional divides to support the movement in pursuit of national recovery.
“I call on all Nigerians, regardless of region, faith, or background, to join us in this noble cause. Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amaechi vowed to transform Nigeria within four years if elected president in 2027, insisting that leadership should be determined by competence and proven performance rather than ethnic or regional considerations.
Speaking shortly after submitting his nomination forms, the former Rivers State governor criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.
According to him, voters should assess all presidential aspirants based on their records in public office.
“What Nigerians should do is assess all of us who are running for office based on our records,” Amaechi said.
“Nearly everybody who is running for the office of the president has served Nigeria in one way or another. Let this be a referendum. If you have performed, whoever has outperformed the other, vote for the person,” he added.
Amaechi argued that his years of experience in governance and public service make him the most qualified candidate for the presidency.
“The next thing is, who is capable of delivering the votes? Who is capable of beating the incumbent? Who has the experience? I believe I am the most experienced,” he stated.
“I am young, I am the most experienced, and I believe I have the capacity.”
The former minister urged Nigerians to examine his record as governor of Rivers State and as Minister of Transportation under late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Go back to Rivers State and see what I have done. Go back to the Ministry of Transportation and see what I have done, and assess it and see whether I can turn the country around. And I will, in four years, turn the country around,” he declared.
Amaechi served as governor of Rivers State between 2007 and 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023, where he supervised major railway projects including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan rail lines.
He also criticised what he described as the “Emilokan” style of politics, arguing that Nigeria’s leadership challenges stem from ethnic and entitlement-based political sentiments.
“Nigerians should vote for merit, not vote for those who say, ‘I’m from this place’ or ‘it is our turn.’ It is the ‘Emilokan’ mentality that brought us here. It is our turn that brought us here. Now Nigerians are suffering,” Amaechi said.
Elijah Adeyemi
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