Barely a week after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, cracks have begun to emerge within the opposition party.
Sources within the ADC revealed that supporters loyal to Atiku and those backing Amaechi are at odds over the vice-presidential nomination, with some members of Atiku’s camp reportedly pushing for Amaechi to be replaced.
The disagreement comes despite the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announcing on June 5 that Amaechi had been selected as Atiku’s running mate, describing the ticket as a “unity and rescue” alliance.
However, shortly after the announcement, opposition to Amaechi’s nomination reportedly surfaced among Atiku’s loyalists, many of whom are said to have questioned his political alignment and influence within the party.
Sources also claim that Amaechi’s supporters have urged him to challenge the outcome of the ADC presidential primary in court if his name is not uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal by June 27.
Amid speculation that the former Rivers State governor was reluctant to accept the offer, Atiku’s camp dismissed reports of a crisis, attributing the delay in his official unveiling to Atiku’s travel schedule.
One of Atiku’s media aides, Abdulrasheed Shehu, wrote on X: “Atiku/Amaechi is settled. His Excellency is on a short business trip. Once he returns, Amaechi will be officially unveiled as the VP candidate in a few days. Stop posting fake news.”
Meanwhile, the ADC is also grappling with internal disputes in Katsina State, where party chieftain and former Secretary to the State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, warned that unresolved disagreements over the governorship candidate selection process are eroding confidence in the party.
Speaking to his supporters in Katsina, Inuwa lamented the party’s failure to address complaints surrounding its primaries.
“The party that people have confidence and hope in is the party that is starting with this kind of mess. It is really unfortunate.
“People are disappointed. People are beginning to lose hope in ADC,” he said.
