Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed suggestions that he may run as a vice-presidential candidate with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or be part of any joint presidential ticket in the 2027 elections.

Amaechi declared that he is running for the presidency and will not be a running mate to anybody.

His statement comes after Atiku’s political ally and media entrepreneur, Dele Momodu, suggested that Atiku might consider the former Rivers State governor should the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declines to run with him.

Momodu, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said, “A lot of people are underrating Amaechi. Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari. What the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is doing now, though in an unruly manner, Amaechi did quite well when he was governor of Rivers State. Amaechi mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”

Responding through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi insisted that his ambition is solely to become the President of the country and not Vice President.

Amaechi distanced himself from any alliance aimed at making him a running mate.

“Amaechi is not seeking to be running mate to anybody. He does not intend to be a presidential running mate to anybody and will not,” Iyofor said.

He added that Amaechi believes it is the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the next president and is therefore pursuing the presidential ticket of the ADC.

“Amaechi is not aware of, and will not be part of any talk to be running mate to anybody. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria and not to be a running mate to anybody.

“Politicians are kindly advised to leave Amaechi’s name out of any discussion for presidential running mate,” Iyofor added.

Amaechi, who contested the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket in 2023, defected to the ADC earlier this year and has since declared his intention to seek the party’s nomination for the 2027 election. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)