2027: ADC, Atiku to pick preferred VP candidate Amaechi as Campaign DG

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is set to head the presidential campaign organisation of Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.

Sources within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) disclosed that Amaechi is being considered for appointment as Director-General of the Atiku presidential campaign, a move seen as part of broader plans to establish a more collaborative style of governance should the party win the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

The decision is reportedly influenced by Amaechi’s extensive political experience and his successful role as Director-General of the 2015 presidential campaign that helped deliver victory for late former President Muhammadu Buhari against then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Party insiders also indicated that discussions aimed at persuading Amaechi to accept the vice-presidential slot included assurances that he would play significant roles both during the campaign and in a future ADC administration.

A source familiar with the negotiations said Atiku is determined to reform the structure of the Nigerian Presidency by creating a more functional partnership between the President and Vice President.

According to the source, Atiku’s decision is shaped by his personal experience as Vice President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly the strained relationship that developed between both leaders during Obasanjo’s second term.

> “Atiku believes that while the United States constitution assigns specific responsibilities to the Vice President, the Nigerian Vice President often serves at the discretion of the President. He wants to change that by building a partnership-based presidency,” the source said.

The source further stated that Atiku intends to ensure that the Vice President is not relegated to a ceremonial role.

> “He wants to demonstrate that the Vice President should neither be a spare tyre nor a tea server. He wants a presidency where responsibilities are shared and clearly defined,” the source added.

Meanwhile, former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is expected to serve as Deputy Director-General of the Atiku/Amaechi Presidential Campaign Organisation once it is formally constituted.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the ADC to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections.

Earlier, ADC chieftain Salihu Lukman revealed that the party is considering a collegiate system of governance designed to reduce the winner-takes-all approach often associated with Nigerian politics.

According to Lukman, the proposed reforms would strengthen internal party structures and ensure greater accountability between the executive, legislature and party leadership.