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Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure (9285 Views)

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Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by ChemmyNaija(op): 8:07pm On Aug 17
A renewed push for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 general elections may be laying the groundwork for an Atiku Abubakar–Seyi Makinde presidential ticket, potentially displacing former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi from the vice-presidential slot he is understood to have secured.

Sources familiar with ongoing consultations within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) say the party’s efforts to forge a broader opposition alliance could ultimately result in Makinde replacing Amaechi as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Meanwhile, a rival bloc is reportedly considering the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) as an alternative political platform, underscoring the fragmented nature of opposition negotiations several months ahead of the 2027 party primaries.

Obasanjo Leads Opposition Consultations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly playing a central role in efforts to bring major opposition figures together, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, with the objective of building a single political front capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The unity initiative has also received support from G100, a coalition of 100 prominent Nigerians. Members of the group, including Salihu Moh. Lukman and Nnena Ukeje, have backed calls for opposition leaders to work toward a consensus presidential candidate rather than repeat the divided campaigns that characterized previous elections.

The argument is that a fragmented opposition could once again split the anti-incumbency vote, making it easier for the APC to retain power.

Why Makinde Is Being Considered
Sources say Makinde’s growing appeal as a potential running mate is driven less by political symbolism and more by practical considerations, particularly the financial and organisational demands of a nationwide presidential campaign.

As a sitting governor with an established political structure and access to an extensive network across Oyo State and beyond, Makinde could potentially help reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with mounting a national campaign.

He is also believed to have featured in earlier discussions over Atiku’s running mate before Amaechi eventually emerged following disagreements surrounding the presidential nomination process, which at one point reportedly included threats of legal action.

Amaechi Could Resist Any Change
The prospect of replacing Amaechi, however, could prove highly contentious.

People familiar with the discussions say the former minister is unlikely to relinquish the vice-presidential position without a fight, particularly after the political battles and negotiations that reportedly preceded his emergence.

That makes Amaechi potentially the biggest obstacle to any Atiku–Makinde arrangement.

The emerging tension highlights the fundamental dilemma facing Nigeria’s opposition: the quest for unity may require compromises that alienate influential politicians who have already invested heavily in securing their positions.

While a unified opposition could present a stronger challenge to the APC in 2027, disagreements over presidential and vice-presidential slots, party platforms and political influence could create fresh divisions within the coalition.

For now, consultations remain fluid, and no final ticket or political arrangement has been publicly confirmed. But if the negotiations culminate in an Atiku–Makinde ticket, the move would represent a significant reshaping of the opposition’s 2027 strategy—and could force Amaechi and his allies to reconsider their political options ahead of the primaries.
https://applesbite.com/atiku-makinde-ticket-gains-ground-as-opposition-unity-talks-put-amaechis-vp-slot-at-risk/

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by chiiraq802(m): 8:20pm On Aug 17
Amaechi that will not even win his polling unit...I no understand why una dey worry for him matter.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by AMINDA: 8:25pm On Aug 17
The opposition doesn't even need to change anything heading into 2027. Even with the current arrangement, Tinubu will still come third. Elrufai already predicted all these from the data. That's why Tinubu panicked and abducted him.

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by sweetonugbu: 9:12pm On Aug 17
Akuko ndi ngbu, obi must be in the ballot as the presidential flag bearer with kwankwaso as his running mate.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Mynd44(mod): 7:47am On Aug 18
Why is Seyi Makinde being considered?
Atiku needs someone to bankroll the presidential ticket, Governor Makinde is the only governor from the South that can be used.

Amaechi can't bring such funds, he can even deliver his state.

Amaechi Could Resist Any Change
In 2019, Atiku pissed off the South Eastern Governors by making Peter Obi is running mate
In 2023, Atiku pissed off Wike by picking Okowa as his running mate
In 2027, thunder can't surely strike a third time can it?
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Parachoko: 7:53am On Aug 18
I Doubt Makinde will want to become Atiku's Vice

Any coalition is so late at this point
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by AMINDA: 8:31am On Aug 18
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege campaigning for Peter Obi and the NDC in Delta. No matter how APC tries to lie to itself, Obi will win the Southsouth more convincingly than he did in 2023. Out of the quest for endorsements, Tinubu upset established party structures in several states just to lure governors to the APC whom are now too busy trying to sell their candidacy under their new unpopular party to be bothered with selling Tinubu. He practically attempted to use them to whitewash his own unpopularity but it's failing. Just like the Omisore situation in Osun, the mishandling of internal democracy in the APC will come back to hunt the party in 2027.

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Ezewuzie01: 8:33am On Aug 18
Demented Peter Obi must be a presidential candidate in 2027, we don't want any excuses for his failure to enter Aso Rock

Ewu Agulu

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by benuejosh: 8:33am On Aug 18
So it therefore means that Peter Obi will become the Vice-President again.

Kai! He will soon become a political 0rphan. I p!ty him.

How will obidients cope?
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by chrisxxx(m): 8:34am On Aug 18
For me I think Atiku becoming the president of Nigeria is no longer feasible. I also believe he has some gains in contesting every presidential election otherwise there is just no need this time around. His biggest chances were in 2002 when the PDP governors rooted for him and in 2022 where he would have used Wike as his running mate but he listened to Okowa and his group. Amaechi is liked everywhere except at home. Amechi cant deliver any South South state. He cant deliver South East as far as there is Obi on the ballot. This condition also applies to Makinde. For me it is over.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by EggonBoy(m): 8:36am On Aug 18
That would be suicide if Atiku try such.
Stick with what you have to avoid ruining your chances
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by zenburster:
Any opposition coalition led by the perennial loser and greedy octogenarian Atiku, is bound to fail.

Makinde is like Kwansogbu, a local champion whose influence barely extends beyond Oyo State, and who brings nothing to any ticket he is on.

In the SW, does he think Yorubas will leave Tinubu (the president) to vote for a ticket where he is the VP?

Atiku I am sorry to say is not the political maverick he thinks he is.

He knows nothing.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by AMINDA: 8:40am On Aug 18
Mynd44:
Atiku needs someone to bankroll the presidential ticket, Governor Makinde is the only governor from the South that can be used.

Amaechi can't bring such funds, he can even deliver his state.


In 2019, Atiku pissed off the South Eastern Governors by making Peter Obi is running mate
In 2023, Atiku pissed off Wike by picking Okowa as his running mate
In 2027, thunder can't surely strike a third time can it?
Lol. Atiku has no problems with funding as far as 2027 is concerned. A lot of APC governors will secretly fund his campaign. Someone just donated anonymously some few days ago and even Jide Sanwo-olu was accused by APC faithfuls to have funded Atiku in 2023. A lot of governors are secretly fed up with Tinubu's high-handedness and are wary of him after the Fubara debacle. They will be serious horse-tradings in 2027. All that talks about not winning polling unit is becoming stale. Tinubu lost Lagos and Osun but still won the election because a majority of his votes (5.6m) came from outside his region. Amaechi has a vast political network that goes beyond winning "polling units". The Buhari bloc loves him. Underrate him at your peril.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Day169:
The more one thinks of it, the more tricky it becomes to have a united opposition.
If your postulate is anything to go by, two questions become paramount.
1. What's in for the NDC and their flag bearers as their candidates are not mentioned in this mix.
2. President Obasanjo as an arrow head of the coalition puts it's success in doubt as he is a staunch opponent of his former vice.
The whole thing is fast looking like trying to make a solution of oil and water as it's constituents are 'immiscible'!
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Gotocourt: 8:41am On Aug 18
Amaechi won't step down for anybody.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by helinues: 8:41am On Aug 18
If Atiku, Obi, Kwankwanso , Amaechi have recently been in ADC yet couldn't work things out until Obi and red cap man left ADC.

Is it now that the election is less than 6 months they are considering of working together again?

Such Re reunion simply means they all don't share same ideology
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by anonimi: 8:42am On Aug 18
ChemmyNaija:
A renewed push for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 general elections may be laying the groundwork for an Atiku Abubakar–Seyi Makinde presidential ticket, potentially displacing former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi from the vice-presidential slot he is understood to have secured.
SM would be a good running mate to the brainbox of PDP's deregulation and privatisation driven 16 years of prosperity, peace and security.

Amaechi could be made the SFG, when the coalition wins.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Eba50:
AMINDA:
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege campaigning for Peter Obi and the NDC in Delta. No matter how APC tries to lie to itself, Obi will win the Southsouth more convincingly than he did in 2023. Out of the quest for endorsements, Tinubu upset established party structures in several states just to lure governors to the APC whom are now too busy trying to sell their candidacy under their new unpopular party to be bothered with selling Tinubu. He practically attempted to use them to whitewash his own unpopularity but it's failing. Just like the Omisore situation in Osun, the mishandling of internal democracy in the APC will come back to hunt the party in 2027.

oborevwori dey even fear to mention tinubooo name, cos it's already rubbing off his own support for 2027,
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by iichidodo: 8:43am On Aug 18
Makinde is a 100x better than amaechi...Atiku can play a last minute switcheroo here.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by anonimi: 8:45am On Aug 18
Day169:
The more one thinks of it, the more tricky it becomes to have a united opposition.
If your postulate is anything to go by, two questions become paramount.
1. What's in for the NDC and their flag bearers as their candidates are not mentioned in this mix.
2. President Obasanjo as an arrow head of the coalition puts it's success in doubt as he is a staunch opponent of his former vice.
The whole thing is fast looking like trying to make a solution of oil and water as it's constituents seem 'immiscible'!
NDC is a dummy for Kwankwaso's 2031 hopes of succeeding Tinubu if the master strategist fails to get a 3rd term for life president as Obasanjo failed in 2007, because Atiku chose to be loyal with the constitution and worked with other democracy heroes to kill the bill in the NASS despite Ghana must go bags of bribes.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPytmuhYDAU

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by regenerateman(m): 8:46am On Aug 18
Those guys think that Yoruba people are not wise. Will they forgo number1 and go for number 2?. It is still possible for replacing candidates as INEC guidelines have provision for substitution of candidates after closure of primaries. The court has already expunged the provision of the Electoral Act that technically discouraged swapping of parties during and after primaries.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by AMINDA: 8:46am On Aug 18
Gotocourt:
Amaechi won't step down for anybody.
And neither should he. Tinubu will still not win with the current arrangement staying as it is. He may even come third. Nasir El-Rufai already predicted this months ago before he was abducted by the APC out of fear.

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Mrexcell(m): 8:47am On Aug 18
I thought inec's submission of candidates has elapsed?
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Schlumeinstein: 8:50am On Aug 18
Amechi is a big failure in the south south.....he cannot deliver his ward....
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by AMINDA: 8:51am On Aug 18
Eba50:
oborevwori dey even fear to mention tinubooo name, cos it's already rubbing off his support for 2027
None of the newly defected governors both in the North and the South are finding it easy campaigning for Tinubu. They are trying to negotiate for only themselves. Meanwhile, the existing APC structure in these states prior to their defection have been ostracised.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Emmabyte: 8:52am On Aug 18
I am very sorry to say it out,believe it or not peter obi is the final bus stop

Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by anonimi:
chrisxxx:
For me I think Atiku becoming the president of Nigeria is no longer feasible. I also believe he has some gains in contesting every presidential election otherwise there is just no need this time around. His biggest chances were in 2002 when the PDP governors rooted for him and in 2022 where he would have used Wike as his running mate but he listened to Okowa and his group.

Amaechi is liked everywhere except at home. Amechi cant deliver any South South state. He cant deliver South East as far as there is Obi on the ballot. This condition also applies to Makinde. For me it is over.
You are right about 2003 being Atiku's best chance but he blew it up by being loyal to Obasanjo instead of throwing the ingrate under the bus. He could have succumbed to northern pressure to make Obasanjo a one term president as he promised to be like Mandela in 1999 when they made the bankrupt ex-convict president.

2003 was the first time Buhari asked for the job of president but was rejected even though he locked down northern votes since then until 2015 when Tinubu begged him to make Jonathan a one term president.

aieromon:
According to sources available to us that time, Obasanjo said he will do a single term but after that, he decided to go for second term. I was physically present at Rivers state Governor’s Lodge when the heat became too much and Obasanjo in the presence of all of us knelt down in front of Atiku begging him to allow him do a second term. I think that was how Atiku missed the opportunity by agreeing to Obasanjo’s plea. His thought was that at least, if Obasanjo completes his second term, he will hand over to him but you all know the story of Third Term Agenda and that was how they fell apart. Atiku had the best opportunity to become president in 2003 and lost it. He had the support of PDP governors then.

https://independent.ng/atiku-lost-opportunity-become-president-2003-idahosa/
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Around November 2002, 15 of the 21 Governors from the PDP including me, had an ad hoc meeting at my lodge in Abuja to decide who should be nominated by the Governors Committee for election by PDP as the presidential nominee for the 2003 Election.

The Governors Committee decided almost unanimously to get a new candidate instead of President Obasanjo as the Committee was of the view that because of his military background, he was intolerant of dissent and had displayed very dictatorial and vindictive tendencies against those he perceived to be independent-minded and disloyal to him.

Immediately after the Governors meeting, I led the delegation of Governors to meet the then PDP Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at his residence around 2 am.

As the leader of the delegation, I spoke and communicated the views of the Governors to the Chairman, which was that the Governors had decided not to support President Obasanjo as PDPs nominee for the 2003 General Election.

The party chairman tried to persuade us to review our decision but when he saw our resolve, he told us that he would inform the President. I was later informed by Chief Audu Ogbeh that after we left his house he put an urgent call to the President and informed him of our decision.

What then followed were intense consultations before the PDP annual convention which took place in January 2003. Two days before the party convention, the Governors had a breakfast meeting with President Obasanjo.

I recall that at that meeting, the then Vice President Alhaji Abubakar Atiku told the President in the presence of the Governors that he was known to be very dictatorial, vindictive and unforgiving. The President appealed to the Governors to support him and assured both the Governors and the party leadership that if he was allowed to continue for the second term, he would adopt a more democratic approach.

On the basis of the President's assurance, given at that breakfast meeting, I led the move for the Governors to support his presidential nomination for the second term. However, notwithstanding my support for President Obasanjo's nomination for a second term, the President after the nomination, acted very shabbily towards me.

When I met him soon after the convention, he told me that he had learned that I had put forward the view that he was unsellable, unmarketable and unelectable. He then vowed that he was going to make sure that I was unsellable, unmarketable and unelectable.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/ibori-fights-back/

Atiku Camp - Visit Wikileaks and type the following in the search bar NIGERIA: DID VP ATIKU OUTFOX BABANGIDA AND OBASANJO DURING THE PDP CONVENTION?

According to Adesanya, Atiku met the governors the first day of the convention; they urged him to leave Obasanjo and seek the nomination himself. Atiku demurred; he also deflected the suggestion that he join Ekwueme. Finally, Atiku arranged a meeting between Obasanjo and the now irate governors. The governors railed that Obasanjo was hypocritically pursuing them for corruption, while turning a blind eye to corrupt politicians within his own Administration. Atiku supported the governor's position, telling Obasanjo that significant corruption was not the exclusive ambit of the governors and that serious transgressions occurred in the executive branch: he said it would be unjust to focus exclusively on gubernatorial excesses. Assuming the role of mediator, Atiku then asked both sides to affirm their mutual support and cease the antagonism being fueled by elements that wanted to destroy the PDP. The governors agreed to bury the hatchet, if Obasanjo would shelve the dossiers. Having demonstrated his influence with the governors, Atiku continued to play coy with Obasanjo.

In the end, Atiku extracted an extraordinary concession from the President. Obasanjo agreed to relinquish the entire domestic agenda to Atiku, including the appointment of key economic policy-makers. Since Obasanjo focused on the world arena during his first term and aspired for recognition as an international statesman, Atiku said that is where he would like Obasanjo's attentions to remain. Obasanjo would serve the role of a "super Foreign Minister" and ceremonial Head of State. As Adesanya understood the agreement, Atiku would be allowed to direct domestic economic policy while Obasanjo busied himself with debt relief, NEPAD, conflict resolution and other measures to shore up Nigeria's image abroad.

OBJ camp - visit Wikileaks and type the following in the search bar NIGERIA: DIFFERENT INSIDER VIEWS ON THE PDP CONVENTION

The President was dazed, Abayomi recalled. Jarred by the unexpected possibility of defeat, the usually know-it-all Obasanjo eagerly solicited counsel on how to escape the closing vise. Early that day, the dominant theme was to seek a court injunction postponing the convention. Proponents suggested the delay to afford Obasanjo time to marshal support and undermine Ekwueme's momentum. However, this idea was ultimately discarded, partially because of apprehension over the public's reaction. More importantly, the push for an injunction became less urgent when the President's advisors began to sense their man was regaining ground by the hour.

The President owed much of his recovery to his own tenacity and, at times, shamelessness. He pulled out virtually all the stops to clinch the nomination, according to Abayomi. For most of that day, the President's diet consisted of liberal portions of humble pie. The President pleaded and cajoled; on at least two occasions his eyes welled with emotion as he pursued fence-sitting delegates and governors. However, Obasanjo saved his best to keep Vice President Atiku from defecting.

With rumor swirling that Atiku would opt to run with Ekwueme, Obasanjo wasted no time visiting the Vice President's residence. Obasanjo begged, declaring he would not leave Atiku's home unless the Vice President accompanied him to win back the delegates and governors. The performance had the desired effect. Atiku joined Obasanjo in publicly lobbying the conventioneers. While it might not have been Obasanjo's finest hour it was the defining moment of the convention. What had been a suspenseful contest would now turn into a rout.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by ppogba: 8:55am On Aug 18
Surely, they shall gather.......... Holy creed.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by skydancer: 8:57am On Aug 18
Seyi Makinde knows it's better to stand with Obi than Atiku. Atiku has refused to become an elder, he doesn't even have the type of human capital Tinubu has and he goes about claiming entitlement. Peter Obi has more loyalists than Atiku and also more fans than Tinubu. Tinubu is a mixture of a hero and a villain. Hero because he rose from the dust/criminalism, villain because he plays tricky and dirty. I personally don't hate him but a presidency built on a foundation of seizing power at the detriment of people's will, violence and even death and by compromising the system cannot effectively and longstanding rebuild the country.

The only way out is for the entire citizens itself to support a single candidate. If Peter Obi eventually is unable to unite the country to vote for one person, Atiku certainly cannot. Maybe Seyi Makinde can. But once the entire country can truly support one man and it's one that has the knowledge of how to build enterprise like Obi or Alex Otti, then Nigeria will have a true leader that can rebuild her foundation from ground up forever.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Jonjam269: 8:57am On Aug 18
The opposition is already in disarray. Whether they form an alliance or not, the political landscape and dynamics have changed drastically, and not in their favour. They are united by one destiny: defeat and gnashing of teeth. Everything else is merely content for keyboard warriors and political losers to feed on, along with their imaginary electoral victory.

President Tinubu is already ahead of his traducers. If they could not defeat him in 2023 despite all the propaganda, endless court cases, currency redesign and coordinated social-media attacks, it is political suicide and sheer naivety to think they will defeat a sitting president in 2027.
Re: Opposition Unity Push Puts Amaechi’s VP Slot Under Fresh Pressure by Schlumeinstein: 9:02am On Aug 18
Atiku should consider removing amechi .....MAKINDE IS BETTER...
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