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Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims that he opposed the emergence of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Okonkwo said his earlier comments had been misunderstood, insisting that his position was based on the party’s internal rules rather than opposition to Amaechi personally.
According to Okonkwo, no politician from the South-East was eligible to be considered as Atiku’s running mate because none of the prominent South-East figures linked with the ticket had been registered members of the ADC before the party’s primary election. He explained that the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines required anyone seeking nomination to have fulfilled the necessary membership conditions before the primary, making it impossible for a non-member to emerge as the vice-presidential candidate. He added that his comments were about eligibility and due process, not regional bias.
Okonkwo also stated that Atiku recognised his contributions to the campaign despite his previous criticisms of the former vice president. He further accused his former political ally, Peter Obi, of betraying him during their political association, while reaffirming his commitment to supporting Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid under the ADC. His remarks come amid continued debate over the party’s choice of vice-presidential candidate and the political implications of selecting Amaechi for the ticket.
