Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Transportation Minister, has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the next general election.
He said fielding a Northern candidate may hinder the party’s appeal in southern Nigeria, urging consideration of power rotation realities.
Though, he pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer at the primaries.
The former governor of Rivers State said this while interacting with youth groups in Kano.
“I will support whoever emerges,” he said. “But I also advise the ADC to look around and identify the best material that can convince Nigerians that things will be turned around.”
Amaechi noted that the party must consider three critical factors in choosing its presidential candidate: capacity, age, and prevailing power dynamics.
“First is capacity. Second is age. Third, which is the last point, is to respect the unwritten law of power that is now in the South,” Mr Amaechi said.
Speaking further, Amaechi said recognising the current rotation of power would make it easier for politicians and voters in the South to rally behind the party.
“They should conclude that and then transfer power to the North. It makes it easier for those of us from the South to say we are going to compete because the North has said, ‘finish all this,’” he said.
He warned that presenting a Northern candidate at a time when many Southerners believe power should remain in the South could weaken the ADC’s appeal in the region.
“If you elect somebody from the North, I’m not saying we won’t campaign, but it will be difficult to convince the South to give up power because they will ask the North, ‘Why is it that it’s only when power comes to the South that there is a problem?’” he said.
However, despite his reservations, Mr Amaechi reiterated his commitment to party unity, stressing that regional considerations would not affect his loyalty to the party.
“Whether it is a Southerner or a Northerner is immaterial; I will support whoever emerges at the primary,” he said.
