The South-South zonal leadership of the African Democratic Congress has refuted claims that it endorsed former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The clarification followed remarks by John Odigie-Oyegun, who recently stated that leaders from the region had unanimously resolved to back Amaechi’s presidential aspiration after a consultative meeting.
Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and now a chieftain of the ADC, had said the meeting provided an opportunity for Amaechi to formally intimate regional stakeholders of his ambition.
“We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” he was quoted as saying, adding that a unanimous decision was reached to give him the needed support.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the South-South ADC zonal publicity secretary, Mabel Oboh, dismissed the endorsement claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Oboh maintained that no resolution was adopted in support of any aspirant during the February 27 gathering held at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.
According to her, the meeting, which had in attendance party elders and representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, centred on strengthening unity within the party, deepening grassroots mobilisation and strategising ahead of future elections.
She explained that although Amaechi formally declared his intention to seek the party’s presidential nomination before the leaders, no motion was tabled, no vote was conducted and no endorsement was granted.
“Consultation is not endorsement, and courtesy is not coronation.
Hosting a respected son of the South-South who chose to formally inform his regional leaders of his ambition cannot be interpreted as a declaration of support,” the statement read.
The zonal leadership stressed that candidate selection within the party remains the prerogative of its recognised organs and members, in line with its commitment to internal democracy.
Oboh further noted that suggesting otherwise undermines the party’s established procedures and disregards the experience of senior figures within its ranks.
She added that it would be illogical to assume that a leader of Oyegun’s standing would jettison due process in matters concerning the party’s presidential nomination.