WorldStage— African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has warned party leaders in Abuja that if President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 presidential election, many opposition figures will be forced into permanent political retirement.
Speaking at the ADC National Women League Conference, on Thursday, the former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation urged party chieftains to abandon the comfort of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and return to their respective states and wards.
He stressed that a lack of aggressive grassroots mobilization would hand victory back to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaechi emphasized that the opposition cannot afford to take the upcoming general elections lightly.
He stated plainly that the current crop of ADC leaders would effectively be retired if President Tinubu secures a second term.
He challenged party members, particularly women leaders, to mobilize heavily at the polling unit and ward levels, drawing a parallel to how the APC successfully leveraged grassroots female support to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
“If you are not from FCT, go home and campaign,” Amaechi told the gathering, adding that he intended to lead by example, dropping his formal attire to travel directly to the grassroots to rally voters.
He noted that winning the presidential race requires securing strong foundational support and fighting for governorship and legislative structures across all states, arguing that a president cannot govern effectively without supportive sub-national leadership.
The conference also featured prominent voices like Hajiya Titi Atiku Abubakar, who echoed calls for resilience and urged women to reject voter intimidation and financial inducement amid current economic hardships.
However, Amaechi’s blunt declaration underscored the high stakes facing the opposition coalition as they attempt to break traditional party dominance in Nigeria.
Political analysts note that Amaechi’s direct critique highlights the existential pressure on opposition leaders to present a unified and robust front.
With the 2027 cycle rapidly approaching, the ADC’s ability to translate grassroots frustration over inflation and governance into tangible ward-level votes will determine whether the party emerges as a viable alternative or fades into political obscurity alongside the old guard.
