Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred fresh political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections after taking a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his long-standing presidential ambition and primary election record.
Amaechi, while speaking on the internal politics surrounding opposition leadership and party primaries, said he hopes the next presidential primary election would mark the first time Atiku fails to secure his party’s ticket.
According to Amaechi, the real concern should not only be Atiku’s success in party primaries but his inability to eventually win the presidential election despite emerging as a candidate multiple times.
“I listen when they say former Vice President Atiku said he has never failed the primaries before. I hope this will be the first time he fails the primaries,” Amaechi stated.
He further argued that winning party primaries alone should not be celebrated if it does not translate into victory at the general election.
“That is not the issue. The issue is that every time he has passed the primaries, he has not won the election,” he added.
Amaechi also touched on the ongoing debate surrounding zoning and power rotation in Nigerian politics. Referring to Atiku’s position on zoning, the former minister suggested that all aspirants should simply contest openly in the primaries if zoning is no longer considered important.
“Former Vice President Atiku said he doesn’t believe in zoning, so let’s go to the primary,” Amaechi said.
The comments have further intensified discussions within Nigeria’s political space as parties begin early calculations and alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Political observers believe the remarks reflect growing tensions among key opposition figures seeking influence and possible presidential tickets in the coming election cycle.
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Amaechi and Atiku remain influential figures in Nigerian politics, and their positions on party leadership, zoning, and electoral strategy are expected to shape political debates in the months ahead.
