Akande Urges ADC to Field Obi, Amaechi as Strong Southern Challengers to Tinubu

Former presidential spokesperson Laolu Akande has advised opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to consider fielding experienced southern politicians like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi if they intend to present a credible challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Akande made the remarks during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a political programme on Channels Television, where he discussed the evolving political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.

Call for Experienced Southern Candidates

According to Akande, opposition parties must focus on candidates with substantial governance experience if they want to effectively compete with the incumbent administration.

He specifically mentioned Amaechi and Obi as individuals with strong political backgrounds and leadership records who could emerge as viable alternatives.

Akande argued that both politicians have accumulated significant experience in public service and possess the credentials necessary to compete at the highest level of Nigerian politics.

“If they were serious, people like Rotimi Amaechi, people like Peter Obi ought to be the ones to be pushed forward,” he said during the interview.

Amaechi’s Political Career Highlighted

Akande also highlighted the extensive political journey of Amaechi, noting that he has served in multiple high-level positions in government.

According to him, Amaechi’s experience spans several roles including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He pointed out that Amaechi also played a key role in national politics as a former Director-General of the Buhari Presidential Campaign and was once a leading figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akande described Amaechi’s record as a “tremendous career in politics,” particularly noting his involvement in infrastructure development during his time in federal office.

Peter Obi’s National Profile

Akande also referenced the political experience of Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

Obi’s campaign in the last presidential election attracted significant support from young voters and urban constituencies across Nigeria.

According to Akande, leaders with comparable experience and national appeal are necessary if opposition parties want to mount a serious challenge against President Tinubu.

Warning About Atiku’s Influence

The former presidential aide also warned that if opposition parties fail to rally behind strong candidates, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could continue to dominate the political space within opposition ranks.

Akande said Atiku remains one of the most influential figures in opposition politics and still commands a strong network within political parties.

“As things stand now, if you keep on getting the vibes that Atiku wants to do it by his means, he will probably be able to forge his way through by some means,” Akande said.

He added that the political “shadow” of Atiku continues to loom over opposition politics, particularly as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.

Early Political Calculations for 2027

Although Nigeria’s next presidential election is still several years away, political conversations about potential candidates and alliances have already begun to intensify.

Observers note that the opposition faces the challenge of uniting behind a single candidate capable of mobilizing nationwide support strong enough to compete against the incumbent administration.

Akande’s comments reflect a growing debate within political circles about the kind of leadership and political experience required to mount a credible challenge in Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape.

As the country moves closer to the next election cycle, discussions about candidate selection, regional balance, and political alliances are expected to become more prominent across Nigeria’s political parties.