Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed reports linking him to a potential vice-presidential slot alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

Amaechi made it clear that he is focused solely on pursuing his own presidential bid and has no intention of serving as anyone’s running mate.

His reaction follows remarks by Atiku’s ally, Dele Momodu, who suggested in an interview that Atiku might consider Amaechi as a possible running mate should Peter Obi decline to work with him. Momodu had lauded Amaechi’s political relevance, noting his significant role in President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 victory.

In a statement issued through his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi firmly rejected any suggestion of a partnership aimed at making him a vice-presidential candidate. Iyofor emphasized that Amaechi believes the South should produce Nigeria’s next president and is therefore seeking the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Amaechi is not seeking to be anyone’s running mate,” Iyofor said. “He does not intend to be a vice-presidential candidate and will not consider it. He is unaware of, and will not participate in, any discussion positioning him as such. For emphasis, Amaechi is running to be President of Nigeria, not a running mate.”

Iyofor urged politicians to refrain from dragging Amaechi’s name into any conversation about vice-presidential nominations.

This is not the first time Amaechi has publicly asserted his intention to contest the ADC presidential ticket. In August, he vowed not to step down for any aspirant during the party’s primary, insisting that delegates should determine the flagbearer. In July, he also expressed willingness to serve a single term if elected, saying such an arrangement would support power rotation and enhance political stability.

“If not for the coalition agreement, the answer to whether I would run for president would have been an outright yes,” he said. “But we agreed to set aside individual ambitions to first build the platform before discussing the presidency.”

Amaechi previously contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022, finishing second behind President Bola Tinubu, who eventually clinched the party’s ticket.