Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has started looking for a running mate.
Atiku won his party’s presidential ticket on Wednesday, but his fellow contestants, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, have challenged the result.
During his acceptance speech, Atiku asked the two men to work with him to help the country move away from the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a report by Leadership says that Atiku is not considering either man as his running mate.
People close to Atiku and senior party members reportedly prefer a running mate from the South-East, which is seen as his main political ally and an important region for the 2027 general election.
The running mate spot was reportedly set aside for former Anambra State governor Peter Obi until he left the party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Reports suggest that Emeka Ihedioha, former Imo State governor and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, is now being considered for Atiku’s running mate.
While many South-East politicians left the ADC for the NDC with Obi, Ihedioha stayed in the party and reportedly helped rally support for Atiku during the presidential primary.
“He actually played a major role in ensuring that the region was delivered for the former vice president in the just-concluded presidential primary of the party,” a senior party source told the aforementioned publication.
Reliable sources close to Atiku and members of his inner circle are concerned that Amaechi, despite coming from the South-South, does not currently command sufficient political control in Rivers State or the wider region.
“Naturally, Atiku is looking towards the South-East for a running mate. Amaechi might have been considered if he had control of his region or even his state. It would amount to political suicide to pick someone who may not even be able to deliver his ward,” the source added.
In the search for a running mate, it was learned that Atiku and the party are working in line with the electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s Special Adviser, Paul Ibe, said consultations were ongoing and that the party would comply with the INEC timetable for submitting its presidential ticket.
Ibe said the ADC remained committed to meeting all electoral deadlines set by INEC and would submit the name of its presidential candidate within the stipulated period.
According to him, consultations are continuing on the composition of the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
Asked about speculation linking Ihedioha and Amaechi to the vice-presidential slot, Ibe ruled out Amaechi as a likely nominee.
However, he was less definitive regarding Ihedioha, declining to either confirm or deny reports that the former governor was under consideration.
