Momodu had suggested that Amaechi might become Atiku’s running mate should Peter Obi turn down the offer to run alongside the former Vice President.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims that he may serve as a vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or join any joint ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former Rivers State governor made his position clear after Atiku’s ally and media entrepreneur, Dele Momodu, suggested that Atiku might consider him as a potential running mate if Peter Obi decides not to run on a joint ticket under the African Democratic Congress.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Momodu had suggested that Amaechi might become Atiku’s running mate should Peter Obi turn down the offer to run alongside the former Vice President.

“A lot of people are underrating Amaechi. Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari. What the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is doing now, though in an unruly manner, Amaechi did quite well when he was governor of Rivers State,” he stated.

“Amaechi mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”

But Amaechi, responding through his media aide, David Iyofor, said he has no interest in being a running mate and is focused strictly on contesting for president.

‎”Amaechi is not seeking to be running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate to anybody and will not,” Iyofor stated.

He stressed that Amaechi has no involvement in any discussions regarding a possible vice-presidential slot.

“Amaechi is not aware of, and will not be part of any talk to be running mate to anybody. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody,” the statement said.

Iyofor added: ‎“Politicians are kindly advised to leave Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate.”

In May 2022, SaharaReporters quoted Amaechi as insisting that he was qualified to be the President of Nigeria based on his trajectory.

He noted this while meeting with delegates of the All Progressives Congress (now his former party having defected to the ADC) in Jigawa.

“Judge me by past records, not what people think and say I am. I have to be the president of Nigeria because of my trajectory,” he said.