South-South Leaders Back Amaechi for 2027 Presidency as Odigie-Oyegun Confirms Formal Declaration
By Paul Ebi
A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, has revealed that political leaders in the South-South region have endorsed Rotimi Amaechi for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Odigie-Oyegun, now a chieftain of the opposition ADC, made the disclosure during Amaechi’s visit to a gathering of regional political leaders, where the former Minister of Transportation formally informed the group of his intention to contest the presidency.
According to Odigie-Oyegun, the former Rivers State governor used the meeting to officially brief stakeholders from the zone about his ambition.
“In the process, we are glad that our son, His Excellency, Chibuike Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” he said.
He commended Amaechi for what he described as a respectful approach to regional consultation, noting that the former minister chose to engage political leaders from his zone before launching his nationwide political structure.
“We were very pleased to thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone; for not letting loose in his zone, setting up his own personal structure, by ensuring, like any good son, that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it,” Odigie-Oyegun added.The former APC chairman further stated that the South-South leaders unanimously agreed to support Amaechi’s presidential aspiration.
“We were pleased, and I can report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition,” he said.
Odigie-Oyegun also disclosed that the regional political bloc plans to hold regular meetings to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders across the South-South.
“We are going to meet regularly. This group of leaders are going to meet regularly to interact and to learn from each other’s experience, so that, as usual, the South-South zone will become an example to be emulated by other zones in the nation,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for peaceful political engagement as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, urging authorities and political actors to ensure stability and avoid violence.
“A lot of speakers emphasized the fact that we hope the government will approach the run-up to the elections and allow peace to reign, allow stability to reign, and eschew violence in the run-up to the elections that will come in 2027,” he said.
Odigie-Oyegun added that members of the ADC remain conscious of the limited time before the elections and are committed to consolidating their political strategy ahead of the polls.
“We are very aware that time is short, and we, as the ADC, are committed,” he concluded.
