Presidency: ADC youth leaders reject Atiku, counter state chairman, back Ameachi’s ticket

Ahead of the presidential primary election of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), major youth leaders across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu state, have declared support for the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, to fly the party’s ticket in 2027.

The youth leaders also, vehemently, rejected what they described as “unfortunate statement” made on Friday by the Enugu State Chairman of the party claiming that ADC members in Enugu State were supporting the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar.

Addressing a press conference Saturday in Enugu, the youth leaders, led Festus Ifesinachi Omeh, said they believe that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027 for the sake of equity, fairness, and justice.

The youth leaders also called on the National Executive Council of the ADC in Abuja to pay urgent and particular attention to developments in Enugu state to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party before and the presidential primary election.

According to Omeh, no amount of sponsorship, intimidation, or propaganda can suppress the voice of the people.

Omeh said: “We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the chairman’s statement does not represent the position, mood, or wishes of the majority of ADC members and youths in Enugu State. It is false, misleading, and appears designed to create a false impression before the national leadership and the Nigerian public.

“For the sake of equity, fairness, and justice, we believe strongly that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027. Nigeria cannot preach balance and national unity while attempting to abruptly return power to the North after only one Southern tenure. The right and honorable thing for our great party to have done from the onset was to zone the presidential ticket to the South.

“We therefore reject every attempt by political interests and sponsors hiding behind the state chairman to manipulate the genuine wishes of ADC members in Enugu State.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that ADC youths in Enugu State will not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar. We are fully aligned with and committed to supporting the only Southern presidential aspirant who has officially declared under the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, whom we believe represents courage, competence, fairness, and national balance.

“We also use this medium to warn against any form of manipulation, rigging, alteration, or misrepresentation of the votes and preferences of ADC members in Enugu State during the processes scheduled for the 25th. The will of party members must prevail. Any attempt to impose predetermined outcomes will be resisted democratically and lawfully by the youths and stakeholders of the party in the state.

“Finally, we call on the National Executive Council of the ADC in Abuja to pay urgent and particular attention to developments in Enugu State to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party. The leadership must not allow a few politically sponsored individuals to create avoidable tension where the overwhelming majority of party faithful are united in support of Rotimi Amaechi.”