The purported endorsement of Rotimi Amaechi, the former Rivers State Governor and a minister in the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by the South-South zone of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 presidential election has taken a new twist as the leadership of the party in the zone denied the endorsement.

The zone denied the endorsement in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Benin City.

The statement titled, “ADC South-South Leaders Reject Endorsement Claim, Warn Against Misinformation and Democratic Distortion was signed by Mabel Oboh, the publicity secretary of the party in the zone.

Mabel Oboh, described the reports as misleading, undemocratic, and a troubling example of how selective narratives can distort political reality.

She said during the meeting, Amaechi formally informed regional leaders of his intention to seek the party’s presidential ticket, a move described as a respectful consultation with his geopolitical zone.

According to her, the South-South Zonal Leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has issued a clear and unequivocal denial of reports claiming that its National Leader in the zone, former Governor John Odigie-Oyegun, and other regional leaders endorsed former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the presidency.

“The February 27 meeting, held at Oyegun’s residence, gathered respected party elders, senior stakeholders, and state representatives from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.

“The gathering was organised to strengthen internal cohesion, deepen grassroots mobilisation, and position the party strategically for future electoral contests.

“These were not casual attendees. They were seasoned political leaders, individuals with decades of experience in governance, party administration, and democratic practice.

“To suggest that such a body would casually abandon the constitutional process for an informal endorsement is both inaccurate and illogical”, she said.

She opined that consultation is not endorsement, and courtesy is not coronation, noting that receiving a prominent son of the South-South who chose to formally brief his regional leaders cannot be twisted into a declaration of support.

The zonal publicity secretary, posited that Chief Oyegun’s political history makes the allegation particularly implausible, adding that as a former national chairman of a ruling political party and a longstanding advocate of constitutional order within party systems, he (Oyegun) understood the weight of process and institutional discipline.

She noted that it is inconceivable that a leader of his pedigree (Oyegun) would undermine the very democratic structures he has spent decades strengthening.

While maintaining that the ADC remains committed to internal democracy, she added that the power to nominate and elect candidates rests with constitutionally recognised organs of the party and ultimately with its members, not with a handful of leaders at a zonal consultation.

Oboh, who reaffirmed the unity of the South-South bloc, stated that the meeting’s true objective was structural consolidation and party growth, not premature political alignment.

“The elders of the South-South remain united, disciplined, and committed to due process. No endorsement took place. Any narrative suggesting otherwise is false and should be disregarded”, she stated.

She, however, expressed disappointment that some media houses published the endorsement narrative without thorough verification, warning that such reporting carries broader implications.

“Misinformation in political reporting does not merely mislead the public; it risks undermining democratic processes, fueling unnecessary tension within parties, and eroding confidence in institutional procedures. In a fragile political climate, responsible journalism is not optional; it is essential”, she added.

BusinessDay recalls that the leadership of the party in the zone had in a meeting held in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Friday, February 27, 2026, allegedly endorsed the former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for the forthcoming 2027 presidential election. (BusinessDay)