AMAECHI DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION ON ADC PLATFORM AMIDST ATTACK CONCERNS
Benin City – Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday declared his intention to contest for the office of president in next year’s election. Amaechi made the announcement during the South-South Zonal Leadership Committee meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the GRA residence of the party’s National Leader, John Odigie-Oyegun, in Benin City. At the same meeting, Odigie-Oyegun expressed significant doubts regarding the Nigerian police’s ability to apprehend those responsible for the attack on the ADC secretariat and his personal residence in Benin City on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. While fielding questions from journalists after the zonal meeting, Odigie-Oyegun stated, “I am not sure if an arrest has been made. I am also not sure if an arrest will be made considering the nature of the event.” He highlighted the brazenness of the incident, remarking, “Imagine people bearing arms in broad daylight and were seen and no one has been arrested up till now.” Odigie-Oyegun further revealed that timely intelligence from security agencies prevented a worse outcome, saying, “It was the security agencies that gave us a hint of the attack that saved us. We had to quickly bring the programme to an end. We barely got to my house and we had that the secretariat had been attacked by thugs bearing arms. If we were still there when they attacked the secretariat, we won’t be saying what we are saying now.” Odigie-Oyegun affirmed the ADC’s readiness for the upcoming January election and urged the government to ensure peace and eschew violence leading up to the polls. He emphasized the party’s commitment to making itself the preferred choice for Nigerians, asserting that "the public is on the side of his party" and that this marks "the first time a party is put together at the behest of the masses." He added, “With what is happening in our nation, an emergency rescue is needed and as a party we will ensure that Nigerians remain the crux of governance.” Odigie-Oyegun also called upon leaders and party members within the zone to foster unity and leverage collective experience to make the region exemplary.
