ADC Primary Fallout: What Amaechi’s Body Language May Be Telling Atiku

A picture they say is worth more than a thousand words.

In a recent video I posted on my Facebook page, we see former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paying a visit to former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, one of his main contenders in the just concluded African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary.

The move is commendable for any politician of his kind who needs all the support he can get to secure victory in any election.

But to any observant person, Amaechi's mien does not really come off as that of somebody who is truly happy with the situation of things. It suggests a man who still harbours reservations over certain issues. It signals someone who may still not be entirely pleased with what transpired during the ADC primary. Recall that before the final result was announced, Amaechi had taken to his social media handle to criticize the primary. He described the figures coming from the exercise as “concocted.” He also reminded Nigerians who had been monitoring the process that he had earlier said he would only accept results that emerged from a free and fair primary.

Atiku’s post-primary outreach to Amaechi

Now after that, a video emerged showing Atiku after the primary going to Amaechi to seek his cooperation so they can work together as a team to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election. But with his body posture, does Amaechi really look like someone who would wholeheartedly cooperate with Atiku? That may largely depend on Atiku and how well he carries Amaechi along. And that is the whole point of this write-up.

Recalling the 2022 APC presidential primary

Let’s rewind back to 2022 after the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its presidential primary. Amaechi came second, with 316 votes, trailing behind President Bola Tinubu, who at the time secured 1,271 delegate votes. We subsequently saw Tinubu paying a visit to Amaechi and other aspirants who had participated in the presidential primary, just like Atiku did recently.

What changed after Tinubu’s visit

But what happened after that 2022 visit may be where Atiku could be drawing lessons from. Because we later saw an Amaechi who became a shadow of himself, excluded himself from activities of the APC and the Tinubu government, and was hardly seen in public. He would later emerge from the shadows to become a critic of the government.

Allegations of abandonment and political fallout

Explaining what went wrong in an interview, former Senate Leader Ali Ndume, who was Amaechi's Campaign DG during the 2022 presidential primary, revealed that the former minister became critical of Tinubu’s government because the President allegedly abandoned him.

Recall that during Tinubu’s earlier visit to Amaechi, Tinubu was seen in a video saying the most significant part of the visit was Amaechi telling him, “Give me any assignment, I will do it.”

Going by Ndume’s revelation, “Amaechi worked for the President. I can tell you that. He was part of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).”

So apparently, an assignment was indeed given.

Where the relationship reportedly broke down

So what happened after the main election, and why did Amaechi become resentful?

Hear Ndume further: “Tinubu called me to say he wants to come and meet with myself and Amaechi. So we agreed. And at that time, I remember I was to go for Hajj, and so the President said we want you to come on board and let’s work together, and we agreed that we will meet after I come back. That meeting did not hold. That was how they abandoned Amaechi.”

In other words, after the first alliance became successful, both sides were expected to meet again for further political understanding, but that meeting reportedly failed to happen, and from there, things went south.

Interpretation and unanswered questions

Whether it was a case of use-and-dump, political forgetfulness, or whether Ndume presented an incomplete narrative of events, is left for the principal actors involved to judge.

But with the recent video and Amaechi’s body language, it appears he may be one who takes political losses and perceived betrayals deeply, whether rightly or wrongly.

Atiku’s next political move

So Atiku paying him a visit was just one side of the hurdle. What other plans does he have for the former Rivers State governor? Many are already speculating about a possible Vice Presidential slot. If he does not get it, will he recoil into his shell again?

Either way, the ball is in Atiku’s court.

Lessons from political loyalty and interest

But the whole development also reveals something else: politicians will almost always go where their interests lie.

Because if not for Ali Ndume, who would have known where Amaechi’s grouse was truly coming from? I personally had linked it more to how the 2022 APC primary went, especially considering how some contenders right there at the convention venue withdrew for Tinubu. Amaechi may have perceived that process as unfair, in a similar manner to how he has now described the ADC primary.

It could even be both reasons. Who knows? We also saw how Nyesom Wike became cantankerous after Atiku failed to pick him as running mate for the 2023 election, although the latter would insist it was more about geographical balancing.

Conclusion: Watching the unfolding 2027 political chessboard

Anyhow, we are watching to see how things unfold. The 2027 general election is going to be an interesting one. Good luck to anyone in this race genuinely seeking to make this country better.