The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has begun shopping for his running mate.
themomentng reports that Atiku won his party’s presidential ticket on Wednesday, a result disputed by his fellow contestants, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
In his acceptance speech, Atiku called on the two men to join him in rescuing the country from the grip of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a report by Leadership has revealed that Atiku is not considering both men as his running mate.
Sources close to the presidential candidate and top party members are said to prefer that his running mate come from the South-East, which is considered his natural political ally and strategically important ahead of the 2027 general election.
The running mate position was reportedly reserved for former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, before he resigned from the party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
It was gathered that former Imo State governor and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, is being tipped for the role of Atiku’s running mate.
Unlike many South-East politicians who left the ADC for the NDC alongside Obi, Ihedioha remained in the party and reportedly played a key role in mobilising support for Atiku during the presidential primary.
“He actually played a major role in ensuring that the region was delivered for the former vice president in the just-concluded presidential primary of the party,” a senior party source told the aforementioned publication.
Reliable sources close to Atiku and members of his inner circle are concerned that Amaechi, despite coming from the South-South, does not currently command sufficient political control in Rivers State or the wider region.
“Naturally, Atiku is looking towards the South-East for a running mate. Amaechi might have been considered if he had control of his region or even his state. It would amount to political suicide to pick someone who may not even be able to deliver his ward,” the source added.
In the search for a running mate, it was learned that Atiku and the party are working in line with the electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s Special Adviser, Paul Ibe, said consultations were ongoing and that the party would comply with the INEC timetable for submitting its presidential ticket.
Ibe said the ADC remained committed to meeting all electoral deadlines set by INEC and would submit the name of its presidential candidate within the stipulated period.
According to him, consultations are continuing on the composition of the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Asked about speculation linking Ihedioha and Amaechi to the vice-presidential slot, Ibe ruled out Amaechi as a likely nominee.
However, he was less definitive regarding Ihedioha, declining to either confirm or deny reports that the former governor was under consideration.
