An aide to former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that the ex-governor remains firmly committed to pursuing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, a senior ADC stakeholder confirmed that Amaechi has resolved to contest, although discussions regarding potential running-mate arrangements are still considered premature.

He said, “ADC is targeting bloc votes from the North, and to achieve that, it may be strategic to field a candidate from the region. Amaechi is focused on the presidential ticket, but politics is dynamic—many things will shift as the primary draws near. Conversations about who gets the ticket are not ripe yet. Let’s wait.”

However, a close ally of Amaechi, who requested anonymity, admitted that political realities must be evaluated honestly, especially in light of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s influence within the party.

He said, “We must think strategically. Can Amaechi defeat Atiku in the primary? If the numbers won’t favour him, then striking a deal before the primary might be wiser. Accepting a running-mate offer from Atiku wouldn’t be a bad idea. After the primary, there will be too many political clashes. The best time to reach an understanding is before the primary.”

Commenting on Peter Obi’s possible entry into the ADC, the source noted that his calculations remain unclear.

He added, “With the way things are, will Obi contest the primary against Atiku in the ADC? If he can’t secure the ticket, I doubt he would accept a vice-presidential slot. That is why he is delaying his move to join the party. But by next year, the picture will be clearer. For now, Amaechi remains the best option for Atiku as a running mate.”