Niger Delta Oil Communities Endorse Amaechi for 2027, Urge Opposition to Unite Behind Him
As political momentum begins to build ahead of the 2027 general elections, oil and gas-producing communities in the Niger Delta have officially thrown their support behind former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, urging opposition parties across the country to unite and adopt him as their consensus presidential candidate.
The endorsement was announced during a media briefing in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Community Development Coalition (CDC), Joseph Ambakaderimo, who described Amaechi as the most experienced and nationally accepted figure in the current opposition fold.
Ambakaderimo praised Amaechi’s political track record, noting his steady rise through Nigeria’s democratic ranks first as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, then as Governor of Rivers State for another eight, and finally serving as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari for a further eight years. He argued that such a rare political trajectory reflects both competence and national relevance.
“Rt. Hon. Amaechi has demonstrated courage, vision, and an uncommon dedication to national service,” Ambakaderimo said. “At a time when the country needs bold and experienced leadership, we in the oil-producing communities believe he stands head and shoulders above other contenders.”
The CDC leader said the opposition must move beyond sentiments and narrow political interests if it hopes to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. According to him, Amaechi’s cross-regional appeal, especially in the northern states, where he was instrumental in delivering several landmark infrastructure projects as Minister, makes him a strategic asset with a broad electoral reach.
Amaechi is not only popular in the South-South, but he also enjoys goodwill in the North due to his performance as Minister,” Ambakaderimo noted. “He delivered the Kaduna-Abuja rail line and pushed forward several critical transport projects that touched the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
The group called on all opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other progressive blocs to close ranks and prioritize national interest by rallying behind a candidate with proven capacity to win a national election.
“If the opposition is truly serious about removing President Tinubu in 2027, they cannot afford to go into the elections fragmented,” he warned.
“Amaechi is tested, bold, and has the political weight to galvanize nationwide support.”
The endorsement has stirred political discussions in the South-South and beyond, with observers noting that Amaechi’s re-entry into the national political spotlight could reshape calculations within the opposition and beyond.
While Amaechi himself is yet to make a formal declaration, sources close to the former minister suggest that consultations are ongoing, and the pressure from political and community leaders across the country is mounting.
The statement by the CDC is the first major public endorsement of Amaechi since the 2023 elections and could signal the beginning of coordinated efforts to project him as a frontrunner in the race for the presidency.
