2027: “If He’s Confident of Winning, Let Him Tell Ribadu to Leave INEC, Judiciary Alone” — Amaechi Challenges Tinubu

Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections by distancing federal institutions from partisan politics.

Amaechi made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, where he alleged interference in the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.

“If he’s confident of winning, let him tell Nuhu Ribadu to leave INEC and the judiciary alone,” Amaechi said.

“Why apply the use of institutions, federal institutions, against the African Democratic Congress?” he added.

The former minister of transportation argued that the credibility of the electoral process depends on the independence of key democratic institutions. He maintained that the president should allow them to function without influence if he believes he has public support.

When asked to provide evidence for his claims, Amaechi declined to elaborate.

“I will not explain. If you don’t have eyes, leave it. Even Tinubu, he knows that. And he brags about it. That’s the funny part of it,” he said.

Amaechi also criticised INEC’s interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling concerning the leadership crisis within the ADC. According to him, the commission’s position that the party is leaderless is incorrect.

“Look at the interpretation of the ruling by the Court of Appeal. They said we are leaderless. That’s not true. That’s not what the law says,” he stated.

The controversy follows INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the party’s national chairman, David Mark, and national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, citing a court order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a leadership dispute.

INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, had warned the party against proceeding with congresses and its national convention without the commission’s oversight.

“Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” Amupitan said at the time.

The ADC, however, rejected the commission’s position, insisting that the status quo refers to the leadership structure that existed before the legal challenge was filed. The party also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of fuelling the internal crisis.

Amaechi, who previously managed the presidential campaigns of Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, has recently aligned with the ADC as part of efforts to build a stronger opposition ahead of 2027.

The party has attracted prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, positioning it as a potential challenger in the next presidential election.