Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi formally submitted their presidential nomination forms at the national secretariat of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja on Thursday, intensifying manoeuvring ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The declarations mark a significant moment for the opposition party, which has recently emerged as a rallying point for several high-profile political figures amid widening discontent over the country’s economic direction and shifting alliances within the political establishment.
In a statement posted on his X account after submitting his forms, Atiku described his candidacy as part of a broader national movement aimed at restoring hope and economic stability.
“The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the national secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” the former vice-president said.
Atiku framed the campaign as more than a conventional political contest, saying it represented a collective effort to “save Nigeria from despair”.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” he said, while urging Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines to support the project.
“I call on all Nigerians, regardless of region, faith, or background, to join us in this noble cause. Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again.”
Amaechi, meanwhile, used the occasion to launch a sharp critique of the administration of Bola Tinubu, arguing that worsening economic hardship had exposed the failure of identity-based politics.
The former Rivers state governor said Nigerians should judge presidential aspirants on competence and performance rather than regional or ethnic considerations.
“What Nigerians should do is assess all of us who are running for office based on our records,” he said.
“Nearly everybody who is running for the office of the president has served Nigeria in one way or another. Let this be a referendum. If you have performed, whoever has outperformed the other, vote for the person.”
Amaechi argued that his experience in public office — first as governor of Rivers state and later as minister of transportation under Muhammadu Buhari — had equipped him to govern the country effectively.
“The next thing is, who is capable of delivering the votes? Who is capable of beating the incumbent? Who has the experience? I believe I am the most experienced,” he said.
“I am young, I am the most experienced, and I believe I have the capacity.”
The former minister pointed to infrastructure projects executed during his tenure, including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan railway lines, as evidence of his administrative record, despite criticism from opponents over the mounting debt associated with some of the projects.
“Go back to Rivers State and see what I have done. Go back to the Ministry of Transportation and see what I have done, and assess it and see whether I can turn the country around,” he said.
“And I will, in four years, turn the country around.”
Amaechi also took aim at the “Emilokan” political slogan associated with Tinubu’s rise to power, arguing that entitlement politics had contributed to the country’s current economic difficulties.
“Nigerians should vote for merit, not vote for those who say, ‘I’m from this place’ or ‘it is our turn,’” he said.
“It is the ‘Emilokan’ mentality that brought us here. It is our turn that brought us here. Now Nigerians are suffering.”
