By Abiola Olawale
A political storm is brewing in Rivers State as former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made a dramatic return, galvanizing massive support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Amaechi, a heavyweight in Nigerian politics, who came second to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the 2023 APC presidential primary, arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport to an unprecedented crowd of supporters.
It was gathered that hundreds of enthusiastic supporters braved heavy rainfall to welcome Amaechi, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, as he officially embraced the ADC.
The crowd, which reportedly gathered as early as 8 a.m., filled the air with drums, chants, and ADC banners, creating an electric atmosphere.
Upon landing around noon, Amaechi was presented with the ADC party symbol, cementing his leadership role within the party.
Addressing the crowd at the airport and later at the ADC state secretariat, Amaechi vowed to dismantle the entrenched culture of election rigging in Rivers State.
“Our state is notorious for writing results. We must stop them from writing results,” he declared.
The New Diplomat reports that the ADC has emerged as the rallying point for Nigeria’s opposition, with Amaechi joining prominent figures like the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, David Mark, and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai in a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling APC in 2027.
Amaechi had also announced his defection from the APC on July 1, 2025. In a scathing critique, he stated, “I never believed Tinubu was material to govern this country. Nigeria is completely destroyed. Inflation is high, and people can’t eat.”
