Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed confidence that he can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he emerges as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during an X Spaces discussion on Saturday, the former Rivers State governor said his deep understanding of Tinubu’s political strategy would give him an advantage in a direct contest.
“I have never contested against Tinubu, but I know him very well — his strengths and weaknesses. If I am given the ADC ticket, I will surely defeat him,” Amaechi declared.
Amaechi, who served under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, maintained that he has never participated in electoral malpractice, noting that he consistently turned down invitations to join the APC’s election planning committees.
“I challenge any politician, living or dead, to say I was involved in rigging. All the times APC appointed me into election planning committees, I refused. I know what they discuss; I hear them. If I get the ticket, I will reveal those things,” he stated.
He alleged that election rigging in Nigeria often involves state governors and the diversion of public funds through government agencies. “They will bring governors. They will go to government agencies to get money, but I will say the rest after winning the primaries,” he said.
Amaechi pledged that, if elected, his administration would end electoral malpractice. “I will never participate in rigging. My promise is to stop it,” he affirmed.
The former minister also revealed that he and ex-Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, initiated discussions that led to the formation of the current opposition coalition under the ADC platform.
The coalition, according to Amaechi, comprises prominent politicians including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and Boss Mustapha, former Senate President David Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, and ex-Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.
