Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, says he is the only “national candidate” in the race for the 2027 presidency, accusing other contenders of relying on ethnic appeal.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, the former Rivers governor said his candidacy stands apart from rivals like Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi.
Amaechi said Nigerians should assess all aspirants based on their records in public office and choose who is best suited to lead the country.
“Go to Anambra State and see what Peter Obi has done. Atiku was vice president; let’s see what he’s done and what he did in customs,” he said.
“Look at what Tinubu has done in Lagos and in Nigeria now; come to me in Rivers State and look at what I’ve also done in transportation, and choose who’d be the presidential candidate,” he said.
“ACCESS OUR PREVIOUS POSITIONS”
He argued that while all the major contenders have held public office, the key difference is how they are positioning themselves politically.
“The only difference between me and the other candidates mentioned is that I am the only national candidate,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that other aspirants are appealing to ethnic identities, claiming that some are running as Igbo candidates, others as Hausa-Fulani, while Tinubu is running as a Yoruba candidate.
“I’m the only Nigerian candidate, neither Igbo nor Fulani. I’m running as a Nigerian because I understand the Nigerian problem and I can solve it,” he added.
The former Rivers governor said voters should conduct a “referendum” of the candidates’ past performance and make their choice based on competence rather than ethnic considerations.
