Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections by halting what he described as interference in key democratic institutions.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, alleging that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was influencing the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“If he is confident of winning, he should direct his NSA to stay away from the judiciary and INEC and allow the process to be free,” Amaechi said.
The former minister of transportation, however, declined to provide further details when pressed on the allegations.
He also faulted the interpretation of a recent Court of Appeal ruling regarding the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress, insisting that claims the party is leaderless were incorrect.
“That interpretation is not what the law says. The party is not without leadership,” he stated.
Amaechi, who played a key role in the 2015 and 2019 presidential campaigns of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has recently aligned with the ADC as part of efforts to strengthen opposition politics ahead of 2027.
The controversy comes amid a deepening leadership dispute within the ADC, which has seen rival factions emerge within the party.
INEC had earlier withdrawn recognition of some party officials following a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the crisis.
The electoral body also warned the party against conducting congresses or conventions in violation of court orders, cautioning that such actions could invalidate any electoral victory.
However, the ADC has rejected INEC’s position, maintaining that the “status quo” referred to by the court supports its existing leadership structure prior to the legal dispute.
The developments have further heightened political tensions as alignments begin to take shape ahead of the next general elections.