Atiku Picked Amaechi To Show No Bias Against Igbo – Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and aide to the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has explained that the choice of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as running mate for the 2027 election was intended to demonstrate that Atiku holds no prejudice against the Igbo people.

Okonkwo made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, addressing concerns over why the party’s presidential candidate passed over the South-East for the vice-presidential slot.

The ADC chieftain acknowledged that he had initially favoured the vice-presidential position to go to the South-East, noting that the region had not produced either a president or vice president since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

“I said I would have favourably been disposed by the choice to have come from Southeast, not South-South, because Southeast has not produced the president or vice from 1999,” Okonkwo said.

According to him, the situation changed after Peter Obi, who had sought the ADC presidential ticket, left the party’s nomination process, leaving the South-East with fewer options under the Electoral Act.

Okonkwo explained that Atiku ultimately settled on Amaechi because of his close ties to the South-East, framing the decision as a gesture of goodwill toward the region.

“That was why the excellency Atiku Abubakar still went to the nearest person that is closest to the southeast. In other words, for you to know that he has nothing against the Igbo people,” Okonkwo said.

He dismissed suggestions that he opposed Amaechi’s nomination, stating that his concerns were only about ensuring fair representation for the South-East. Okonkwo added that the ADC was handling concerns raised by members through internal discussions to keep the party united ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The ADC has announced Rotimi Amaechi as the vice presidential candidate of ADC, and in our own nature, the way we do things, whenever such issue arises… we always go internally to negotiate, to dialogue democratically, so that we can reach compromise and come back together as one to move on,” he said.

Okonkwo further stated that he accepted the party’s decision after assurances were given that the interests of Ndigbo and the South-East would be recognised and protected.

“When everything was now stated very well, and the interest of Ndigbo and Southeast was now recognized and guaranteed, then it was a go-go for me, and we are now one big and happy family,” he added.

The ADC, which emerged from a merger of several opposition parties, is positioning itself as a major challenger in the 2027 presidential race alongside the ruling All Progressives Congress and other opposition parties.