• Rotimi Amaechi declares himself the most qualified ADC presidential aspirant for 2027
• The former Rivers governor says his leadership experience surpasses other contenders
• He also claims he is both the “youngest and most experienced” among ADC hopefuls

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has declared that he is the strongest presidential contender within the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, citing his leadership experience and political record as key advantages.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, May 22, the former Minister of Transportation said he stands above other aspirants in the party, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Amaechi argued that his years in public service make him the most experienced aspirant in the race.

“I’m the most experienced of them all. I’m the youngest but most experienced,” he said.

The former governor highlighted his time as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and leader of the Speakers’ Conference, insisting that few Nigerian politicians can match his administrative and legislative background.

“I have been chairman of the Governors’ Forum. None of them, including President Tinubu, has been chairman of the Governors’ Forum,” Amaechi stated.

He also recalled his leadership within the Speakers’ Conference, noting that he served two terms and became the first chairman to secure a second tenure in the Governors’ Forum despite political resistance at the time.

According to him, his return as chairman of the forum was controversial because the administration in power opposed it.

“The president then didn’t want me to come back,” he said, adding that a former president once accused him of turning the Governors’ Forum into “a labour union.”

Amaechi also used the interview to criticise the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of weaponising poverty and hunger for political gain.

“The president is creating hunger as a way of manipulating voters,” Amaechi alleged, arguing that temporary food donations during elections do not solve long-term economic hardship.

He further accused the APC-led government of weakening opposition parties through the use of state institutions and political influence.

“If they say they are strong, why are they not allowing the opposition to have their political parties?” he questioned.

Amaechi said that if elected president, his administration would prioritise law and order, stressing that the rule of law remains essential for national stability and democratic governance.

“The first thing I would do as president of Nigeria is the rule of law. It has to be law and order,” he said.

Amaechi rejects VP ambition, insists on ADC presidential ticket contest

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had declared that he did not purchase the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential nomination form with any intention of becoming a running mate.

The former Rivers State governor stated that his ambition remains strictly for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that any suggestion of a vice-presidential arrangement was not part of his  political plan.