Presidency dismisses Atiku-Amaechi Ticket, defends Wike

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Presidency has dismissed the chances of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in the 2027 presidential election.

The latest criticism came from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who accused Amaechi of resorting to emotional politics following his allegation that the Tinubu administration’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.

Amaechi, who is Atiku’s running mate on the ADC platform, had alleged that the economic hardship created by the Federal Government’s policies made it difficult for him to afford the drugs needed to treat his mother.

The allegation was rejected by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who described Amaechi’s claim as an attempt to exploit his mother’s death for political sympathy.

Onanuga subsequently backed Wike, accusing Amaechi of lowering the standard of political discourse with his allegation.

In a statement posted on X, the presidential aide said Amaechi’s conduct demonstrated why he should not be entrusted with the leadership of the country.

Onanuga also extended his criticism to Atiku, recalling Amaechi’s previous assertion that the former vice president was unelectable.

According to him, the same argument could now be applied to the ADC presidential ticket, suggesting that neither Atiku nor Amaechi stands a realistic chance of winning the 2027 election.

The exchange adds another layer to the intensifying political battle ahead of the 2027 elections, with the Presidency and its allies increasingly targeting the opposition ADC ticket as the political contest gathers momentum.