By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its presidential ticket to the South ahead of the next general election, warning that fielding a northern candidate could undermine the party’s appeal in the region.

Speaking in Kano during an interactive session with youth groups, Amaechi advised the ADC leadership to carefully consider Nigeria’s unwieldy but established practice of power rotation. He argued that presenting a northern flag bearer at a time when many southerners expect the presidency to remain in the South would make it difficult to galvanise voter support.

“If you elect somebody from the North, I’m not saying we won’t campaign, but it will be difficult to convince the South to give up power,” Amaechi said. “They will ask the North, ‘Why is it that only when power comes to the South that there is a problem?’”

The former Rivers State governor outlined three critical factors the party must weigh in selecting its candidate: capacity, age, and the prevailing political dynamics—particularly the unwritten understanding that power should rotate to the South.

“First is capacity. Second is age. Third, which is the last point, is to respect the unwritten law of power that is now in the South,” he stated.

Amaechi suggested that a clear zoning decision in favour of the South would ease the path for southern politicians and voters to rally behind the ADC. He further noted that such a move could set the stage for a future transfer of power to the North.

“They should conclude that and then transfer power to the North,” he said. “It makes it easier for those of us from the South to say we are going to compete because the North has said, ‘finish all this.’”

Despite his firm stance on zoning, Amaechi reaffirmed his loyalty to the ADC, emphasising that regional considerations would not influence his commitment to the party. He pledged to support whoever emerges as the standard bearer through the primary process.

“Whether it is a Southerner or a Northerner is immaterial; I will support whoever emerges at the primary,” he said. “But I also advise the ADC to look around and identify the best material that can convince Nigerians that things will be turned around.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has agreed to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the condition that he emerges as the party’s vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general elections.

Fayose made the claims in a statement titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.

According to him, Makinde met with Atiku in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday in what he described as a carefully choreographed meeting designed to ensure “confidence and acceptability,” with selected personalities in attendance.

“It is no longer news that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, went to Minna, Niger State, yesterday to hold a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Fayose wrote.

“Here is what happened behind the curtains. Venue and personalities involved in the meeting were carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.”

Fayose alleged that Makinde agreed to join the ADC on the understanding that he would secure the vice-presidential ticket as Atiku’s running mate, subject to ratification by Atiku’s inner caucus.

He further claimed that discussions at the meeting took into account the possibility that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might neither accept a vice-presidential slot nor be considered widely acceptable in the North as Atiku’s political successor.

“Consideration was given to the fact that Peter Obi will not accept to be Atiku’s running mate and he won’t also be acceptable to the North, as Atiku’s successor,” Fayose stated.

The former governor also alleged that Makinde offered an initial contribution of N10 billion—payable in two tranches—to support what he described as the “proper take-off” of the ADC, with additional funds to be made available at the commencement of campaigns.

According to Fayose, Atiku is “70 per cent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, having allegedly influenced the party’s decision not to zone its presidential slot.

He further claimed that Makinde pledged to mobilise delegates from the South-West during the party’s primaries and leverage his wife’s Rivers State roots to garner support in the South-South. Fayose alleged that Makinde argued that his candidacy could split South-West votes in the general election to the ADC’s advantage.

Fayose added that a follow-up meeting between key figures was scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks.

Atiku and Makinde on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), at his residence in Minna.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku reportedly said his visit was aimed at strengthening the ADC’s structures in Niger State and paying a courtesy call on Gen. Babangida. He maintained that the meeting was not related to the 2027 presidential election, stating that his current engagements were focused on electoral reforms, particularly the push for real-time electronic transmission of results.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Makinde nor the ADC had publicly responded to Fayose’s allegations.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

The appointment is subject to the Senate’s approval in accordance with the provisions of section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006.

President Tinubu sent a letter today to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned this week, after about 14 months in the post.

Ambassador Yusuf is a seasoned Nigerian career diplomat who served as the Nigerian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information& Strategy)
11 February, 2026