Former Minister of Transportation and two-time Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed openness to contesting the 2027 presidential election, citing the nation’s escalating economic difficulties as a driving factor.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Amaechi emphasized the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, saying, “If the government is failing the country, you don’t just go along because you are in the same party. You know that is not right. People are dying. People are starving. I myself, I am feeling the effects of hunger. The truth is, I’m also feeling the hunger.”*
While not currently planning a presidential bid, Amaechi did not rule out the possibility, suggesting that time would reveal his decision.
He highlighted ongoing discussions with other concerned Nigerians to form a united front aimed at bringing about change.
“We are thinking that if we come together and win the election, the country will certainly witness change,” he remarked.
Amaechi’s comments come amid a broader political realignment, with opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, exploring avenues to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election .
In a related development, a coalition of youth activists and entertainment figures, under the banner of Igbo Youth Celebrities for Rotimi Amaechi, has called on President Tinubu and Obi to step aside and support Amaechi’s potential candidacy.
The group argues that Amaechi’s extensive experience in governance makes him the most qualified candidate to lead Nigeria into a new era of economic growth and stability .
