APC Chieftain Praises ADC South-South Amaechi For 2027 Endorsement

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), has thrown his full weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) South-South zonal leadership’s decision to endorse former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Eze described the move as “a welcome presage of victory for Nigerians,” stressing that it represents a bold and timely step capable of dismantling the current administration’s grip on power. He maintained that despite the presence of a few dissenting voices — which he described as normal and essential in any democratic setting — the overwhelming majority of stakeholders who rallied behind Amaechi demonstrated deep confidence in his capacity to lead the country out of its present economic and governance quagmire.

The endorsement followed a crucial zonal meeting held on February 27, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, where Amaechi formally briefed South-South ADC leaders on his presidential ambition and sought their backing. The session was presided over by former Edo State Governor and respected South-South political leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. According to reports from the meeting, a motion to adopt Amaechi received thunderous support through a voice vote, with ADC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Usani Uguru Usani, declaring: “At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative ‘AY’ while a contra call had no ‘NAY’ response.” The resounding applause that trailed the vote, Usani added, underscored the zone’s readiness to back Amaechi’s quest for the party’s presidential ticket.

Stakeholders present at the high-level parley included Senator Andrew Uchendu, who moved the motion for support; former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; Professor Pat Utomi; and other heavyweights who emphasised the imperative of zonal unity behind a candidate with proven national appeal.

Eze, in his detailed reaction, spotlighted Amaechi’s sterling public service trajectory as the strongest argument for the endorsement. He recalled the former Rivers State governor’s records as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, two-time Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Nigeria Speakers’ Forum, as well as his pivotal role as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council that engineered the historic 2015 power shift. Eze further praised Amaechi’s transformative tenure as Minister of Transportation and his impressive runner-up position at the 2023 APC presidential primaries.

Drawing from Amaechi’s track record of dismantling the then-ruling PDP from power in 2015, Eze expressed conviction that the former minister possesses the requisite experience and competence to replicate similar success against the current APC-led government in 2027. “With the experience that Amaechi has garnered since his entrance into public office, the former governor is very qualified and competent to govern Nigeria if we are to consider merit as a yardstick for electing our next president,” Eze stated, while questioning those playing down Amaechi’s capacity despite having once served under him in the Governors’ Forum alongside figures like Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Bukola Saraki.

The APC chieftain commended Amaechi for his “bold aspiration” and respect for zonal leaders by first consulting his South-South base before reaching out nationally. He urged ADC structures in other geopolitical zones to emulate the South-South’s example of unity, describing the development as a demonstration of faith in Amaechi’s proven leadership credentials.

As Nigeria grapples with biting economic hardships, Eze expressed optimism that Nigerians would ultimately judge Amaechi’s candidacy on the strength of his decades of selfless service and monumental achievements in public office. He maintained that the South-South ADC’s endorsement signals the beginning of a formidable opposition coalition poised to rescue the nation in 2027.