Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he is positioning himself as a national candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his ambition is not based on ethnic or regional identity.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he spoke about identity politics, national unity, and what he believes should guide Nigerians in choosing their next president.
He stated that although he has Igbo heritage, he is not presenting himself to voters on the basis of ethnicity, adding that his political message is centered on national integration and problem-solving rather than regional sentiment.
The former governor emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges require leaders who are selected based on competence and capacity, not religious or ethnic considerations that have long influenced electoral outcomes in the country.
Amaechi argued that continued focus on ethnicity in politics has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s governance problems, urging voters to prioritize leadership quality over identity-based affiliations.
He also maintained that political campaigns should be focused on solutions to national issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and infrastructural decay rather than appeals to tribal or religious loyalty.
According to him, many political actors still present themselves in ways that reinforce regional divisions, a trend he believes should be discouraged as Nigeria moves toward future elections.
Amaechi stressed that his own candidacy is different, insisting that he is not asking Nigerians to vote for him because of where he comes from or what religion he practices, but because of his capacity to govern effectively.
According to Amaechi’s words: “I am not a regional candidate, they are all regional candidates. Yes, I am partially Igbo, by my name you can see that but I am not saying vote for me because I am Igbo. No. I am not saying vote for me because I am Hausa and Fulani. I have said to Nigerians leave religion and ethnicity alone, that is what put us here” he added.
