April 17, (THEWILL) — Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has sparked a major debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, declaring that the office of the president requires physical strength and mobility, while firmly rejecting zoning and consensus politics, even as he maintained that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains qualified to contest.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Amaechi said constitutional eligibility alone is insufficient for the rigours of Nigeria’s presidency, stressing that the role requires a leader capable of constant movement and direct engagement across the country.
“Although he is eminently qualified to be president of Nigeria, he has the right to contest. But he has to understand that there are other factors beyond where he comes from”, Amaechi stated.
He argued that effective leadership requires a president who is physically present and actively involved in addressing national challenges, rather than relying solely on briefings.
“This position requires the capacity to put yourself on the roads and see what is happening”, he said, underscoring the need for firsthand assessment of governance issues.
Amaechi drew comparisons with emerging leadership trends across West Africa, highlighting generational shifts that are beginning to influence political expectations.
“A 49-year-old has just been voted in as president in the Benin Republic, so how do other candidates and even the current president, who is claiming (to be) 74, contend with that?” he asked.
He further pointed to the age declarations of key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, arguing that Nigerians must confront the implications of age in leadership selection.
“Tinubu said he is 74, and former Vice President Atiku said he is 80. However, the position wants someone who can wake up in the morning and be able to go to states to see what needs to be done”, he stated.
Projecting his own approach to leadership, Amaechi said: “If I am the president, I will be at the forefront of those who are fighting the war to fight several things”, emphasising the need for visible and hands-on governance.
On internal party matters within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Amaechi (who is also seeking the party’s presidential ticket) emphasised his preference for a competitive primary election rather than consensus arrangements. He argued that open primaries strengthen internal democracy by allowing delegates and members to freely choose candidates without imposed outcomes.
“I believe there has to be a primary. I do not agree with a consensus candidate because we have to allow people to vote for who they want in the party”, he said.
He also reaffirmed his long-standing opposition to zoning, dismissing regional power rotation as a flawed basis for leadership selection.
“As for the issue of zoning or not zoning, what I would want him to realise is that when we were in the PDP, I never agreed with south or north or whatever, I always want the most-qualified candidate to contest”, Amaechi said.
The former governor further criticised the role of identity politics in Nigeria’s democratic process, warning that ethnic and religious considerations have continued to shape electoral outcomes in ways that undermine national cohesion.
“I have said to Nigerians, leave region and ethnicity alone. That’s what put us here. Those who supported President Tinubu were pursuing a religious agenda. They were so happy about the Muslim-Muslim ticket”, he added.
