One of the principal aides to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that the ex-minister remains focused on securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Speaking in an interview with Sunday Punch, a top ADC stakeholder said the former governor of Rivers State had made up his mind on the presidential race, but cautioned that conversations around a vice-presidential offer remain premature.
He said, “ADC is eyeing bloc votes from the north, and for them to get that, it would be better to run a candidate from the area. Amaechi’s eye is on the presidential ticket. But politics is dynamic; a lot will change as we approach the primary. Discussion about the presidential ticket is not yet ripe. Let’s wait.”
However, an ally of the former governor, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We need to calculate well because we have to be honest with ourselves: can Amaechi beat Atiku in the primary? If that is not a possibility, going for a deal before the primary may not be bad. Accepting Atiku’s running mate position may not be a bad idea. There will be too many brushes after the primary, so it is better to have a deal before the primary.”
He continued, “With what you’re seeing, will Obi run the primary against Atiku in the ADC? And if he can’t get the ADC ticket, I don’t see him as somebody who will accept a running mate slot. That is why he is delaying his move to join the party. But we will have a better picture next year, and Amaechi is the best option for Atiku as running mate.”
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