• Atiku, Amaechi’s teams Mull joint ticket
By Abiola Olawale
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential election, a potential joint presidential ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is being contemplated by loyalists of two political forces, The New Diplomat gathered.
This likely scenario is coming on the heels of speculations by teams that are pro-Atiku and Amaechi within the opposition coalition that both forces are capable of effectively challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming 2027 presidential polls.
The New Diplomat checks reveal that even though this scenario is likely to play out in the countdown to 2027 unless there is a change of mind by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), Mr Peter Obi to the effect that he agrees to team up with Atiku on agreeable terms.
Recall that Peter Obi has indicated his readiness to do a one-term presidency should he win in 2027. This scenario appears to have met a brick wall from the Atiku camp who believe that this is the former Vice President’s likely last run for the office of president.
It would be recalled that indications began to emerge following Atiku’s and Amaechi’s defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC, respectively, that both political actors might opt to work together in a bid to give the APC a serious challenge in 2027.
Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, had formally dumped the party on July 14, 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences” and accusing the PDP of abandoning internal democracy.
In a letter, Atiku had expressed frustration with the party’s inability to foster unity and transparency, prompting his move to the ADC, a platform increasingly seen as a viable third force. “The PDP has lost its way, and I cannot continue in a system that stifles democratic principles,” Atiku had stated.
Similarly, Amaechi, a former APC stalwart and Minister of Transportation during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had announced his resignation from the APC on July 1, 2025, lambasting the party for what he called “rigged democracy” and economic mismanagement under Tinubu’s administration.
His exit was no surprise to political analysts, who noted his growing disillusionment with the APC since losing the 2022 presidential primary to Tinubu.
The duo’s defection, alongside other political heavyweights such as former President of the Senate, David Mark, and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has boosted the ADC’s growing appeal as a coalition platform.
Sources who spoke with The New Diplomat believe that an Atiku-Amaechi ticket is a possibility under the ADC.
The sources said the likely alliance is aimed at leveraging their regional influence to amass significant voter support.
Atiku, a northern political titan, is expected to dominate votes in the North, where his decades-long political career and business investments in education and agriculture are believed to have cemented his influence.
Recall that Veteran journalist Dele Momodu, while speaking on Channels Television recently, emphasized Atiku’s electoral clout, saying: “Atiku has the numbers and poses a serious threat to Tinubu in 2027. His experience and northern base make him a formidable candidate.”
Amaechi, on the other hand, is expected to bring southern support, particularly from Rivers State and the broader South-South region, the source state.
The source said: “Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers governor and his role in the Niger Delta’s oil and gas communities have earned him a loyal following. The oil and gas communities in Rivers recently endorsed Amaechi for the 2027 presidency, signaling his regional pull. Additionally, Amaechi’s financial resources, bolstered by his political network, could provide the ADC with the funding needed for a robust campaign.”
The source added that this regional synergy could counter the vote-splitting that plagued the opposition in 2023, when Atiku and Peter Obi.
Another source who spoke with The New Diplomat said that while Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 candidate, has also joined the ADC and expressed presidential ambitions, the leadership of the ADC is not convinced about his commitment.
The source said that unlike Atiku and Amaechi, who have formally resigned from their former parties, Obi has not publicly severed ties with the Labour Party, raising concerns about his eligibility under the ADC’s constitution.
The source cited Article 8 of the ADC’s guidelines which stipulates that aspirants must not be affiliated with other parties, with proof of resignation required.
The source said: “Obi’s hesitation to fully commit to the ADC has created skepticism among the leadership.
“While he has a strong support base, particularly among urban youths and the South-East, his loyalty to the ADC remains uncertain.
“This uncertainty could tilt the party’s ticket toward Atiku and Amaechi, who have demonstrated clearer allegiance to the ADC’s vision.”
