- Regional leaders Jackie Wayas and Prof. Pat Utomi formally deny that Amaechi was endorsed during a recent strategy meeting in Benin.
- ADC National Vice Chairman (South-South) Usani Uguru Usani maintains that a voice vote constitutes a binding endorsement of the former Minister’s presidential bid.
- Party officials warn against “selective narratives” and emphasize that formal nomination rests with recognized party organs, not zonal consultations.
The South-South leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a public dispute over the purported endorsement of former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, for the 2027 presidential election.
Eko Hot Blog reports that while there is emerging reports suggesting a unified backing of his candidacy during a strategy meeting in Benin, Edo State, high-ranking officials have actively denied these claims.
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Jackie Wayas, the National Deputy Publicity Secretary for the ADC, issued a statement contradicting the endorsement narrative.
“At the meeting, His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi formally notified the regional leadership of his intention to contest for the party’s presidential ticket,” Wayas stated via her X handle. She clarified that this was a consultative step, not a final adoption.
“However, consultation must not be misconstrued as endorsement. Engagement does not amount to adoption.”
Wayas further emphasized that no formal motions were passed or votes conducted to support the former governor.
“It should be made clear that the ADC remains committed to internal democracy, noting that the power to nominate and elect candidates rests with constitutionally recognized organs of the party.”
Despite the denials from Wayas and Prof. Pat Utomi, who termed the representation of an endorsement as “inaccurate and disingenuous,” the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the ADC, Usani Uguru Usani, offered a different account.
Usani, who appears sympathetic to Amaechi’s bid, confirmed that Amaechi solicited support from the geopolitical zone.
He explained that a motion was suggested to uphold the request, followed by a voice vote overseen by regional leader Chief J. Odigie-Oyegun.
“At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative ‘AY’ while a contra call had no ‘NAY’ response,” Usani explained, asserting that this applause constituted a pledge of support, which he interprets as an endorsement.
