ABUJA:  Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to field a "viable" presidential candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the ADC convention on Tuesday in Abuja, the former Rivers State Governor emphasized that defeating the incumbency requires a strategic shift away from the traditional pillars of Nigerian politics: ethnicity and religion.

A Call for Strategic Unity

Amaechi cautioned party members against the assumption that power would be easily relinquished, urging the opposition to build a formidable and merit-based coalition.

"If you think President Tinubu will hand over power to you, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together and decide on a viable candidate," Amaechi stated.

Drawing parallels to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the 2015 elections, Amaechi noted that success was achieved by prioritizing a candidate’s electoral viability over sectarian interests. "Ethnicity and religion will only take us back to where we started," he warned.

Allegations of Democratic Backsliding

The convention was held at the Rainbow Event Centre after the ADC alleged it was systematically denied access to public venues, including Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, further alleged that management at the alternative private venue faced government pressure to cancel the booking. Amaechi seized on these reports to criticize the administration's democratic credentials:

• Suppression of Opposition: Amaechi questioned why a government led by an individual with roots in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) would allegedly stifle the constitutional right to assembly.

• Institutional Weaponization: He argued that public institutions are increasingly being used against citizens rather than for their protection.

Economic and Security Concerns

The former minister did not mince words regarding the current state of the nation, describing the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity as "terrible." He asserted that the current administration has failed to address the core grievances of Nigerians, further necessitating a disciplined and unified opposition front.

The ADC convention, originally intended for a larger public space, concluded with a call for the party to serve as a nucleus for a broader political realignment ahead of the next election cycle.