According to a report by Daily Trust on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the African Democratic Congress to carefully consider zoning in selecting its presidential candidate.
Amaechi made the appeal during a political engagement in Kano, describing the party’s forthcoming decision as a critical strategic moment. He stressed that regional considerations could significantly influence the party’s performance at the polls.
The former Rivers State governor outlined three criteria he believes should guide the ADC’s choice of flag bearer. He identified competence, generational alignment with national expectations, and respect for Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement as essential benchmarks.
According to him, the presidency should remain in the southern region to complete what he described as its eight-year cycle. He argued that adherence to the rotational principle would promote stability and help prevent political tension across the country.
Amaechi cautioned that presenting a northern candidate in 2027, amid expectations in the South for continued occupancy of the presidency, could create campaign challenges. He noted that persuading southern voters to relinquish power at this stage might prove difficult for any political platform.
“First is capacity, second is age, and the third is to respect the unwritten law of power rotation, which is the turn of the south. If you elect somebody from the north, I am not saying we will not campaign, but it will be difficult to convince the south to give up power,“ he said.
Despite expressing his position, Amaechi emphasized the importance of party unity. He pledged to support whoever emerges as the ADC’s presidential candidate at the primaries, irrespective of regional background.
In July 2025, Amaechi had publicly indicated his willingness to serve a single four-year term if elected president on the ADC platform. He explained that a one-term tenure would facilitate a smoother power transition back to the North and reinforce national balance.