The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has denied reports that he opposed the emergence of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Okonkwo said his previous comments reflected a geopolitical preference for a South-East vice-presidential candidate and were not directed at Amaechi personally.
“I do not know where you got that from,” Okonkwo said when asked whether he still opposed Amaechi’s selection as Atiku’s running mate.
He said Amaechi had the full backing of the party and deserved support from loyal members.
“First and foremost, he is the choice of the party, and everybody that is a loyal party member,” he said.
Okonkwo explained that he had advocated for a South-East vice-presidential candidate but acknowledged that the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, limited the number of eligible contenders.
According to him, many of the South-East politicians he would have preferred were not registered members of the party within the period required to qualify for the primary.
He identified Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Hayatu-deen and Peter Obi as the leading aspirants before the party’s presidential primary.
Okonkwo said Peter Obi’s departure from the race complicated the possibility of producing a South-East vice-presidential candidate.
He also noted that Amaechi’s strong showing at the party’s primary, where he secured more than 500 votes, made him a key stakeholder whose supporters could not be ignored.
Okonkwo said his concern was that the party leadership should have consulted stakeholders from the South-East before announcing its vice-presidential candidate.
He added that Atiku was outside the country when the initial announcement was made and began consultations with party stakeholders upon his return.
According to Okonkwo, Atiku temporarily halted the process and engaged party leaders in dialogue before decisions were finalized.
