Laolu Akande, a former media aide to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to put forward experienced southern politicians such as Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi as presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.

Akande said both ADC leaders possess the political experience and national appeal required to mount a credible challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general election.

He made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television.

According to Akande, if opposition parties are serious about building a formidable platform to confront the ruling party, credible and experienced leaders from the South should be positioned as presidential contenders.

“If they were serious, people like Rotimi Amaechi, people like Peter Obi ought to be the ones to be pushed forward,” he said.

Akande highlighted Amaechi’s extensive career in public service, noting that the former Rivers State governor has served in several key positions at different levels of government.

“Look at Amaechi. Amaechi has been a speaker, he’s been a governor, he’s been a minister. He was second in the APC,” Akande said.

“Tremendous career in politics, opportunities in service. And he was the guy that was in charge of infrastructure development.”

He added that the opposition needs a southern candidate with strong governance credentials who can stand “head-to-head against President Tinubu.”

Akande also cautioned that without a formidable alternative candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could continue to dominate opposition politics ahead of the next presidential election.

“As things stand now, if you keep on getting the vibes that Atiku wants to do it by his means, he will probably be able to forge his way through by some means, because he seems to be the strongest politician in the party. The shadows of Atiku are still hanging heavily,” he said. (Saturday Tribune)