The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has named Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, for the 2027 elections.

Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC spokesperson, announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday.

The announcement finally put to rest weeks of speculation about Atiku’s choice of running mate for the 2027 polls.

Atiku won the ADC presidential primary in May.

He polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who got 504,117 votes

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank, came third with 177,120 votes.

Abdullahi said the NDC national leadership picked Amaechi after “extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women stakeholders, and representatives of all geopolitical zones”.

He said as one of Nigeria’s “most experienced and respected political leaders”, Amaechi enjoys “widespread support from party members across the federation”.

“The proposed partnership between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi represents more than a political alliance; it is the coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach, and leadership capacity required to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security, and inclusive development,” he said.

“Amaechi brings to this ticket one of the most comprehensive public service records in contemporary Nigerian politics. His experience spans all major pillars of democratic governance.”

Abdullahi said Amaechi’s experience in the executive and legislative arms of government makes him well-suited to be Atiku’s running mate.

“Beyond his impressive credentials, Rt. Hon. Amaechi strengthens the ticket strategically. His political influence across the South-South and wider Southern Nigeria, his reputation as a reform-minded administrator, and his proven ability to build coalitions across political, ethnic, and regional lines make him uniquely positioned to complement the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar,” he said.

“Together, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi embody a truly national ticket—one that bridges regions, generations, and political traditions.

“Their combined experience in governance, economic management, public administration, party organisation, and nation-building offers Nigerians a credible and compelling alternative capable of restoring confidence in government and accelerating national development.

“At a time when millions of Nigerians are demanding competent leadership, economic revival, job creation, security, and national unity, the Atiku-Amaechi ticket sends a clear message: the ADC is prepared to govern, prepared to unite the nation, and prepared to deliver results.

“The leadership of the ADC is confident that this partnership will energise our growing coalition, inspire hope among Nigerians, and provide the leadership necessary to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Amaechi served as speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly (1999–2007), governor (2007–2015), and minister of transportation (2015–2022).

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The suit, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove ADC, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) from the register of political parties.

The court orders the INEC to deregister the political parties for breach of section 225 of the Constitution

A group, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, had filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 against the five political parties.

The plaintiff, who also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) in the suit, named INEC as the first defendant.

The forum argued that the affected political parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral spread and performance.

It contended that political parties were required to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in prescribed elections to remain relevant under the law.

It, therefore, urged the court to order the deregistration of the parties, insisting that none of the defendants had effectively countered the arguments.

(NAN)

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, says Senate President Godswill Akpabio is biased against him and would shut him out of the red chamber if given the opportunity.

Oshiomhole spoke in an interview on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast aired on Sunday.

The former Edo governor said Akpabio had become “paranoid” about him despite his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the election of President Bola Tinubu.

“Akpabio forgets that I was a founding governor of APC. And I was the deputy DG of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign that gave us victory. I am not saying I am responsible for the victory. But I worked for it, and I’m happy we got it,” he said.

“He is paranoid about everything that has to do with me. Everybody in the senate knows that if Senator Akpabio has his way, he would lock me out of the senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I’m probably the devil he knows.”

Oshiomhole added that many senators were dissatisfied with Akpabio’s leadership style and suggested the next senate would be different.

“However, there are many agents he doesn’t know, and the 11th senate will not be like the 10th senate. This I can say: senators are grumbling about his style of leadership,” he said.

The lawmaker said Akpabio’s alleged bias against him was well known within the senate, although he declined to speculate on the reason for it.

“The Senate president’s bias against me is very well known. I will not join in speculating about the reason for his bias. But many people in that senate know,” he said.

“In fact, if I am going round on the floor of the senate, greeting certain people and having conversations, the man will become uncomfortable.”

Oshiomhole also recounted an alleged conversation involving Abdulaziz Yari, senator representing Zamfara West, and Akpabio over the leadership of the Senate committee on interior.

According to him, Yari had expressed interest in serving as vice-chairman of the committee, which Oshiomhole currently heads.

“Senator Yari approached the Senate president and asked to be vice-chairman of the Senate committee on interior. I am the chairman of the committee,” he said.

“So, Yari said he wants to be vice-chairman. And the senate president said to him, ‘So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to be planning how to remove him as senate president?’ He said that. But I just laughed it off.”

The comments come amid growing tension in the Senate following the controversy generated by Oshiomhole’s recent remarks on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

During plenary last Wednesday, the former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) backed a motion by the Senate committee on public accounts calling for the arrest of Mele Kyari, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of NNPC, over his failure to honour invitations on an ongoing probe of the company’s finances.

The decision came as lawmakers intensified scrutiny of the company’s audit reports covering the period from 2017 to 2023, which reportedly contain unresolved financial entries and discrepancies valued at over N210 trillion.