2027: Amaechi Challenges Tinubu to Halt Reported Meddling in Electoral Commission and Courts

Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State, has issued a challenge to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to demonstrate his confidence in the lead-up to the 2027 elections by instructing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to refrain from interfering with the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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This challenge was made by Amaechi during a Friday interview on Channels TV, in response to reports that Tinubu had rallied his support base and expressed unconcern about the opposition's mobilisation around the African Democratic Congress.

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Amaechi stated, "If he's confident, tell him to tell Nuhu Ribadu to leave his judiciary and INEC alone, and see whether he'll win the election," emphasizing the need for Tinubu to prove his confidence by allowing the institutions to operate freely.

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When questioned further about the allegation, Amaechi declined to provide additional information, saying "I will not explain, if you don't have eyes, leave it," and noting that even Tinubu is aware of the situation.

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Amaechi also disputed the interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling by INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, who claimed that the African Democratic Congress was effectively leaderless, stating that this interpretation is not supported by the law.

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The former governor, who managed President Muhammadu Buhari's presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019, has since aligned himself with the ADC as a key opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The comments come amid a deepening crisis in the ADC over its leadership, following INEC's derecognition of the party's national chairman, David Mark, and national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, on April 2, citing a Court of Appeal order.

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INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan had warned the party against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without the commission's oversight, stating that defiance of a subsisting court order could ultimately invalidate any election won by the party.

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The ADC rejected INEC's reading of the appellate court's order, insisting that the status quo to be maintained was the one that existed before the court case was filed, when Mark was already the recognised chairman.

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The party's spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of sponsoring the internal crisis, alleging that a federal minister was behind a planned protest in Abuja demanding Mark's removal.

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The ADC has attracted several high-profile figures in recent months, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, raising its profile as a potential presidential platform against the APC in 2027.