Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has openly questioned the presidential chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the veteran politician lacks the electoral strength needed to win a general election in Nigeria.
Amaechi also made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down for any aspirant ahead of the party’s presidential primaries, declaring his determination to remain in the race.
The former governor of Rivers State made the remarks during a live interview on Trust TV on Monday night, where he assessed Atiku’s long-standing presidential ambition and political performance over the years.
According to Amaechi, while Atiku has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to secure party nominations during primaries, he has consistently failed to translate those victories into success at the general elections.
He argued that winning a party ticket is meaningless if a candidate cannot attract nationwide support capable of delivering victory at the polls.
Amaechi referenced Atiku’s decades-long presidential pursuit as evidence to support his position, noting that the former Vice President has remained unsuccessful despite several attempts.
“He has been running since 1992. Every time he wins the primaries, he loses the election. It’s about electability, and Atiku is not electable,” Amaechi stated during the interview.
The former minister further dismissed the narrative surrounding Atiku’s record in party primaries, saying it does not address the core challenge of winning a nationwide election.
“I listen when they say former Vice President Atiku has never failed in the primaries before. I hope this will be the first time he fails the primaries. That is not the issue. The issue is that every time he has passed the primaries, he has not won the election,” he added.
Amaechi stressed that any political party hoping to win power at the national level must present a candidate capable of securing broad support across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, rather than someone whose strength lies mainly in delegate politics during conventions.
He also expressed confidence in his own political experience and leadership credentials, arguing that his years as a two-term governor and former minister have prepared him to lead the party to electoral victory.
The comments are expected to intensify political debates ahead of future presidential contests, especially as political alignments and consultations continue among key figures within Nigeria’s major political parties.
