By David Odama
A Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has defended the choice of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate, saying the decision proves that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has no bias against the Igbo.
Speaking on Channels Television politics programme on Thursday, Okonkwo said Atiku settled for Amaechi because of his close relationship with the Southeast after the exit of Peter Obi from the party’s presidential race.
According to him, although he had initially preferred the vice-presidential slot to go to the Southeast, he never opposed Amaechi’s nomination.
“I said I would have preferred the choice to come from the Southeast because the region has not produced either a president or vice president since 1999,” he said.
Okonkwo explained that Peter Obi’s departure from the ADC left the Southeast with limited options during the party’s nomination process.
He said Atiku eventually chose Amaechi because he was the closest available candidate to the Southeast, adding that the decision showed the former vice president had nothing against the Igbo.
“That was why His Excellency Atiku Abubakar went for the person closest to the Southeast. That should tell you he has nothing against the Igbo people,” Okonkwo said.
He also dismissed concerns over Amaechi’s delayed public acceptance of the nomination, saying the party was handling the matter through internal consultations.
According to him, the ADC prefers dialogue and negotiations whenever disagreements arise, with the aim of reaching a consensus before moving forward.
“The way we do things in the ADC is that whenever issues come up, we discuss them internally, negotiate and reach a compromise so that everyone can move forward together,” he said.
Okonkwo said the consultations were aimed at addressing the concerns of party members and strengthening unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
He added that after the reasons for Amaechi’s selection were explained and assurances were given that the interests of the Southeast would be protected, he threw his full support behind the decision.
“When everything was properly explained and the interests of Ndigbo and the Southeast were recognised and guaranteed, I accepted it. We are now one big and happy family,” he said.
