By Kelvin Obambon
Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a major stakeholder of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, Comrade Austine Ibok, has strongly warned former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, against accepting a vice-presidential slot under a rumored joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In an open letter made available to journalists on Saturday, Ibok described any political arrangement that relegates the Southern region to a secondary role in 2027 as “fundamentally unjust” and warned that it would face stiff resistance from party faithful and key political actors across the region.
Ibok, a seasoned political strategist who served as the Cross River State Coordinator for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Primary Campaign in 2019 and State Coordinator of the Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) until 2021, clarified that his intervention does not stem from personal hostility. Instead, he framed it as a necessary defense of equity, national balance, and the long-standing gentleman’s agreement on power rotation between the North and South.
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“Recent speculations suggesting a possible Atiku Abubakar – Rotimi Amaechi presidential ticket for the 2027 general election have generated widespread concern among many stakeholders,” Ibok stated. “It is difficult to reconcile Amaechi’s past positions with any arrangement that would once again relegate the South to the position of Vice President at a time when many Nigerians believe that, in the interest of fairness and national cohesion, the presidency should remain in the South.”
He challenged the political philosophy underpinning the rumored alliance, asking whether Southern politicians are viewed merely as structural tools to legitimize Northern candidacies rather than capable leaders fit for the apex democratic office.
“Does it mean that Southern politicians are considered qualified only for the office of Vice President and not President under Atiku’s political idea? Does it mean that despite producing capable and experienced leaders, the South should continually surrender its legitimate aspiration?”
The ADC chieftain noted that during Amaechi’s previous presidential bid, the former Rivers State Governor had established that he was competing for the presidency based on his administrative competence and governance credentials, earning the respect of millions of Southerners. He urged Amaechi to protect that political legacy by rejecting any subordinate collaboration that diminishes the region’s rightful place in national succession conversations.
Addressing the promoters of the Atiku-Amaechi ticket, Ibok suggested that if a Northern candidacy remains their absolute priority, they should seek a running mate from within the same region rather than inviting the South as a mere endorsement tool.
“If those promoting such a ticket believe there are other individuals who are more popular, stronger, or more acceptable in the South, they are free to pursue such options,” he maintained. “Indeed, if the intention is to maintain a Northern presidential candidacy, then they should equally look within their own region for a running mate. The South should not be invited merely to endorse or legitimize an arrangement that many perceive as fundamentally unjust.”
Expressing disappointment, the ADC chieftain noted that as a historical supporter of Atiku Abubakar dating back to 2011, he expected the former Vice President to exercise statesmanship by actively supporting a credible Southern presidential candidate for the 2027 cycle to reinforce national trust.
He concluded with a stern warning that sustainable political partnerships cannot thrive on sheer political expediency, adding that any deliberate disregard for zonal understanding will actively disrupt party cohesion and face severe friction from political blocks heavily committed to balanced nation-building.
