Buhari Promised Me APC Presidential Ticket in 2022 – Amaechi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed his defeat in the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary on his decision to follow the advice of former President Muhammadu Buhari not to campaign ahead of the contest.

Amaechi said Buhari had assured him in writing that he would announce him as his preferred candidate, prompting him to refrain from lobbying delegates and negotiating political alliances before the primary.

The former Minister of Transportation disclosed this during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, while reflecting on how President Bola Tinubu defeated him to secure the APC presidential ticket in 2022.

According to Amaechi, he trusted Buhari’s assurance because the former president was his boss and believed his endorsement would give him an advantage over other aspirants.

He said Buhari had specifically instructed him not to campaign, promising to announce him as his preferred candidate. Amaechi added that the assurance was documented and would be included in his forthcoming book.

The former Rivers State governor said his decision not to negotiate political positions with governors and other influential party members also weakened his chances, allowing Tinubu to build alliances ahead of the primary.

He explained that he could have secured the support of governors by promising political appointments, including the positions of Vice-President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Amaechi said his refusal to engage in such negotiations gave Tinubu the opportunity to strike political deals with influential party members.

The ADC chieftain also accused Tinubu of using religious sentiments to attract support from delegates, particularly in the North.

He alleged that a delegation of Southern Yoruba Muslims had approached governors in the North-West and appealed to them to support Tinubu on religious grounds.

Amaechi, however, maintained that he would not use religion as a political tool to secure votes, describing his position as a reflection of his nationalist convictions.

He cited former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, whom he said had initially supported his presidential ambition before eventually backing Tinubu.

Amaechi argued that appealing to religious identity for political support could deepen divisions in the country, insisting that he would not adopt such an approach even if it offered him an electoral advantage.

He also questioned the perception of Tinubu as an exceptionally strategic politician, asking why he had not become president earlier if his political success was based on an extraordinary ability to manoeuvre.

Tinubu defeated Amaechi and other aspirants at the APC presidential primary held at Eagle Square, Abuja, in June 2022, polling 1,271 votes against Amaechi’s 316.

The outcome secured Tinubu the party’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election, which he went on to win.

Amaechi served as Minister of Transportation under Buhari and was previously a close political ally of the former president. He also directed Buhari’s successful 2015 presidential campaign.

He is now the running mate to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on the ADC ticket for the 2027 presidential election.