Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Major youth leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State have declared their support for former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to fly the party's ticket in the 2027 presidential election, while categorically rejecting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the youth leaders, led by Festus Ifesinachi Omeh, strongly refuted what they described as an "unfortunate statement" made on Friday by the Enugu State Chairman of the party, who claimed that ADC members in the state were backing Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambition.
The group argued that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027 in the interest of equity, fairness, and justice, insisting that it would be unjust for power to return to the North after only one tenure of a Southern presidency.
Omeh stated, "We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the chairman's statement does not represent the position, mood, or wishes of the majority of ADC members and youths in Enugu State. It is false, misleading, and appears designed to create a false impression before the national leadership and the Nigerian public".
He added, "For the sake of equity, fairness, and justice, we believe strongly that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027. Nigeria cannot preach balance and national unity while attempting to abruptly return power to the North after only one Southern tenure".
The youth leaders maintained that they would not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar, insisting they were fully aligned with Rotimi Amaechi as the only Southern presidential aspirant who has officially declared under the party.
"We want to make it abundantly clear that ADC youths in Enugu State will not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar. We are fully aligned with and committed to supporting the only Southern presidential aspirant who has officially declared under the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, whom we believe represents courage, competence, fairness, and national balance," Omeh said.
The youth leaders also warned against any form of manipulation, rigging, alteration, or misrepresentation of votes during the party's processes scheduled for May 25, insisting that the will of party members must prevail.
They called on the National Executive Council of the ADC in Abuja to pay urgent attention to developments in Enugu State to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party ahead of the presidential primary election.
This development occurs as the ADC has cleared three presidential aspirants — Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — for Monday's direct primary elections after earlier attempts to reach a consensus among them failed.
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