Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, forced him out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while also declaring his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Amaechi made the claims on Friday during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, where he said the former president and first lady took control of the PDP’s political structure in Rivers State, leading to his exit from the party.
“The country knew what happened. I was literally chased out of the PDP,” Amaechi said, adding that “the president, Goodluck, and his wife handed over the structure to other people, so I moved.”
He linked his ordeal to his tenure as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at the time, noting that the political developments forced his departure from the party.
The former Rivers State governor, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also used the platform to formally declare his ambition for the 2027 presidency, insisting that his experience in governance and infrastructure development gives him an edge.
“I don’t care who else is running. I’m running because I’m a Nigerian candidate. Because I know the Nigerian problem. And I can solve the Nigerian problem,” he said.
Amaechi pointed to projects executed during his time in office, including rail development and port expansion, as well as efforts to tackle insecurity, as evidence of his capacity to lead.
He criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the country’s economic situation has deteriorated, with rising hardship among citizens.
“Everybody is suffering, everybody is looking for food to eat. People can’t buy fuel, can’t travel. Everything is skyrocketing,” he said, adding that Nigerians were dissatisfied with current conditions.
Amaechi also alleged attempts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next general election, calling for the independence of key institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary.
“Whether free, fair or not free, if we are on the ballot, President Bola Tinubu will lose the election. The problem is he does not want a strong candidate on the ballot,” he stated.
He joins a growing list of prominent opposition figures positioning for the 2027 race, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential election for January 16, 2027, with party primaries expected to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
