Amaechi tipped as 2027 opposition candidate amid Atiku-Obi tussle

Amid a deepening deadlock between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over the 2027 presidential race, a proposed opposition coalition has set its sights on former Transportation Minister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi as a potential consensus candidate. The coalition, comprising key political figures and groups dissatisfied with the current administration, is also exploring the formation of a new political party, to be called the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), as an alternative to merging with existing parties. Sources within the coalition’s steering committee revealed that Amaechi emerged as a top contender following Obi’s insistence on contesting again alongside his former running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. Atiku, meanwhile, has so far resisted calls to step down from another presidential bid, leaving the coalition increasingly divided. “With the way things are going, some of us have noticed the unyielding positions of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi,” a steering team member said on condition of anonymity. “Although we are still trying to extract commitments from Atiku not to contest in 2027, Obi is adamant about running again with Datti Baba-Ahmed as his deputy.” Amid the political manoeuvring, Amaechi recently marked his 60th birthday, using the occasion to hint at his own possible presidential ambition. I told Tinubu to his face that I won’t vote for him because he lacks capacity – Amaechi At his private birthday lecture themed “Weaponising Hunger,” Amaechi revealed that he had previously told President Bola Tinubu he would not support his presidential bid. “I told him I would not be involved in his electioneering,” Amaechi said. He noted that developments in the past two years had “vindicated” his stance, particularly regarding Tinubu’s ability to unify the country. According to coalition insiders, the private lecture was also a quiet test of public reaction to a potential Amaechi candidacy. “Time is of the essence. Some of us have resolved to put Amaechi on the ready. After all, he came second in the APC presidential primary,” the source added. Rumoured backing by Buhari There is also talk of backing for Amaechi from within the Muhammadu Buhari camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “They see him as a better alternative to Atiku or Obi,” the source noted. Although Atiku and Obi are rumoured to be open to serving just one term if elected, Amaechi is also perceived as likely to serve only one term, in keeping with Nigeria’s zoning arrangement. Meanwhile, the League of Northern Democrats (LND), a key bloc within the coalition, is spearheading efforts to register the new party. Dr. Umar Ardo, the LND convener and a former Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa, explained the rationale for forming a new party instead of merging with existing ones, such as the SDP or African Democratic Congress (ADC). “It’s not just SDP or ADC or any existing political party. If we collapse into an existing party, we lose the momentum we would have created with our own platform,” Ardo said. No favouritism for Atiku Ardo warned that joining an old party could lead to legal complications that might be exploited by the ruling party. “If the system backs them and they influence the court’s decision, that’s the end of all this,” he warned. He also dismissed claims that the new party was being set up to favour Atiku. “Actually, Atiku is among those trying to get the coalition to fuse into an existing party,” Ardo insisted. “So if I’m advocating registering a new party, how does that mean I’m working for him?” Peter Obi’s camp refuses to yield Dr. Katch Ononuju, another coalition member, said Peter Obi’s intention to contest in 2027 should be respected. “He has made it clear he will run again,” Ononuju said, urging coalition members to accept that reality if they hope to stay united. As the opposition coalition weighs its options, all eyes are now on whether Atiku and Obi will yield ground, or if Amaechi will step in to bridge the growing divide.