Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, announced that coalition leaders within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have committed to supporting whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 Nigerian general elections.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Amaechi emphasized the coalition’s dedication to a transparent, free, and fair primary process.
“The moment anybody emerges from the primary, all of us will support; that’s the agreement,” he stated, adding, “We insist on a free and fair, transparent primary.”
The ADC, previously a minor player in Nigeria’s political landscape, has gained prominence as the chosen platform for a coalition of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and others.
This coalition, formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, finalized its adoption of the ADC in March 2025 after negotiations with other parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) faltered.
Amaechi, who defected to the ADC after losing the APC presidential primary to Tinubu in 2023, urged Rivers State residents to register with the ADC and vote out the APC, citing widespread hunger and economic hardship.
The coalition is set to formalize a unity pact in the coming weeks, with presidential aspirants agreeing to back the eventual nominee and jointly define criteria for a credible primary.
Interim ADC chairman Senator David Mark has assured fairness in the process, addressing concerns about potential favouritism.
Analysts view the ADC’s rise as a strategic move by opposition leaders to consolidate support and avoid the internal crises plaguing other opposition parties like the PDP, LP, and NNPP.
