African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has publicly rejected the party’s reported choice of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party had earlier announced Amaechi as its vice-presidential pick following internal consultations, describing him as a seasoned politician with experience spanning the legislative and executive arms of government.
According to the ADC, Amaechi’s background as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, and former Minister of Transportation positions him as a strong complement to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, the development has triggered internal disagreement within the party’s coalition structure.
Okonkwo Raises Concern Over South-East Marginalisation
Reacting via his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, Kenneth Okonkwo said the decision, if true, would amount to continued political marginalisation of the South-East region.
He argued that the South-East has neither produced a President nor Vice President since 1999, and insisted that excluding the region from the 2027 presidential ticket would deepen long-standing political imbalance.
Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, also referenced the sacrifices made by the former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, who stepped aside to support the formation of the coalition.
He said he joined the coalition with the expectation that it would promote fairness, equity and inclusion, not further marginalisation of any region.
“I Will Not Campaign For Such Ticket” — Okonkwo
The ADC chieftain stated that he would not support or campaign for any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from either the presidency or vice presidency in 2027.
He stressed that his involvement in politics is driven by the desire for a more equitable Nigeria where no region is sidelined.
Okonkwo also revealed that he had personally appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to ensure inclusivity by selecting a running mate from the South-East, describing it as a crucial step toward national balance.
He said: “I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President nor Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The Sacrifice Of Nwosu
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
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I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
My reason for joining politics was to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.”
Growing Tension Within ADC Coalition
The disagreement highlights emerging tensions within the ADC-led coalition as parties begin finalising strategic positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the party leadership insists that Amaechi’s selection was based on broad consultations and political balance considerations, critics like Okonkwo argue that regional inclusion remains a sensitive issue that could affect unity within the coalition moving forward.