ADC Names Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s 2027 Running Mate

The African Democratic Congress has announced former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election.

The announcement was published on the ADC’s official website on Monday, June 15, 2026, and was also reported by several Nigerian outlets. The party described Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate for the next election cycle.

ADC said the choice followed consultations with party leaders, coalition partners and representatives of different political blocs. It also said Amaechi’s experience in government and national politics formed part of the considerations behind the decision.

Amaechi previously served as Rivers governor and later as Minister of Transportation. Atiku, a former vice-president, is expected to lead the ADC presidential ticket as the party attempts to strengthen its national platform before 2027.

The decision appears to settle earlier uncertainty around the party’s running mate choice. A previous report had said ADC declined to confirm speculation about Amaechi, but the latest official party statement has now named him directly.

The announcement also lands on the same day a Federal High Court reportedly ordered INEC to deregister ADC and four other parties, a development likely to intensify legal and political scrutiny around the party.

ADC’s next steps will be watched closely, especially how it responds to the court order while continuing preparations for the 2027 presidential race. The pairing also gives opposition watchers a clearer picture of how Atiku’s camp plans to balance national name recognition, South-South influence and party coalition politics before campaigns begin in earnest.

Sources: ADC, Daily Trust, ICIR Nigeria, BusinessDay.