Amaechi: Buhari Promised Me APC Presidential Ticket in 2022

Chuks Okocha reported from Abuja that Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC vice-presidential candidate, blamed his defeat in the 2022 APC presidential primary on his decision to follow President Muhammadu Buhari's advice not to campaign ahead of the contest. Amaechi claimed Buhari had assured him in writing that he would announce him as his preferred candidate, leading him to refrain from lobbying delegates and negotiating political alliances.

This decision, according to Amaechi, cost him the opportunity to secure support from governors and influential party members, who could have aided him in securing the position. Amaechi also accused President Bola Tinubu of exploiting religious sentiments to build alliances with delegates, particularly in the North, and alleged that governors approached by a delegation of Southern Yoruba Muslims had been influenced to support Tinubu on religious grounds.