Former Minister of Transportation and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that his defeat in the June 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election was due to his strict adherence to the advice of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amaechi made the revelation on Saturday, November 7, 2026, while addressing party stakeholders and media executives during an interactive session in Abuja.
Reflecting on the events surrounding the APC presidential primary election held from June 6 to June 8, 2022, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Amaechi disclosed that late President Buhari had personally advised him against actively campaigning among party delegates.
According to Amaechi, President Buhari had assured him of the party’s consensus direction, urging him to refrain from intensive campaign tours across the states.
”I lost the 2022 APC presidential primary election because I listened to President Muhammadu Buhari. He told me directly not to campaign, assuring me that the party ticket was guaranteed. Being a loyal party member and someone who respected the President immensely, I obeyed his advice and held back while others toured the country and reached out to delegates.”
At the June 2022 APC primary, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged victorious with 1,271 votes, while Amaechi finished as the first runner-up with 316 votes, defeating former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who secured 235 votes.
Following his selection in June 2026 as the running mate to ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for the upcoming 2027 general elections, Amaechi stated that his political journey has provided invaluable lessons on governance, political alliances, and electoral strategy.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress reaffirmed the party’s leadership stance, noting that the Atiku-Amaechi ticket represents a united front geared toward economic recovery, institutional reforms, and national security.
Neither representatives of late President Buhari’s estate nor officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress have issued an official response to Amaechi’s statements as of press time.
