Atiku chose Amaechi over South-East running mate due to Electoral Act constraints
Atiku Abubakar settled for Rotimi Amaechi as running mate because most South-East politicians lacked the required party membership to be eligible.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Kenneth Okonkwo, has explained why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar did not choose a running mate from the South-East. The decision was constrained by party dynamics and electoral law requirements.
Okonkwo also dismissed reports that he opposed Rotimi Amaechi’s selection, insisting his earlier position was based on geopolitical considerations, not personal opposition.
Atiku defeated Amaechi in the ADC presidential primary. However, Amaechi rejected the result and alleged irregularities. To repair relations, Atiku visited Amaechi days after the primary for reconciliation talks. Weeks later, the ADC nominated Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Before his appointment as Atiku’s campaign spokesperson, Okonkwo had argued that the vice-presidential slot should go to the South-East to reflect the region’s aspirations. He now clarifies that his position was based on geopolitical considerations, not opposition to Amaechi.
“I had expected the vice-presidential candidate to come from the South-East. That was a geopolitical consideration, not directed at any individual,” he said.
According to him, many of the South-East politicians he favoured were ineligible because they had not registered as ADC members at least 21 days before the presidential primary, as required by the Electoral Act.
Okonkwo noted that Peter Obi’s withdrawal from the race weakened the South-East’s chances of producing the vice-presidential candidate, reducing the party’s viable options. He also noted that Amaechi performed well in the presidential primary, securing over 500 votes, making him a significant stakeholder whose political base could not be ignored.
“Amaechi got over 500 votes in the primary. You cannot alienate that support base,” he said.
Despite defending the choice, Okonkwo believes the ADC leadership should have consulted South-East stakeholders before making the announcement to promote inclusiveness and avoid a sense of marginalisation.
This is not the first time the South-East has been passed over for a major political ticket. The region has never produced a Nigerian president and has rarely been selected as a vice-presidential candidate. The pattern reflects the region’s limited political bargaining power despite its significant population and economic contribution.
The winners: Rotimi Amaechi, who secured the vice-presidential slot. The losers: the South-East, which was passed over again, and the ADC, which risks alienating a key voting bloc.
Bottom Line: The South-East was passed over because its politicians did not register on time. That is not a conspiracy. That is a failure of political organisation.