South-South leaders in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition have vowed to support former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s presidential ambition, snubbing other party aspirants.

John Oyegun, who spoke on behalf of the ADC South-South leaders, said on Friday that the decision to support Mr Amaechi’s presidential ambition was unanimous.

Mr Oyegun spoke at his residence during the ADC South-South leaders’ consultative session in Benin, the Edo State capital. Mr Amaechi was also present.

“We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” Mr Oyegun said.

Describing Mr Amaechi as a good son of the South-South geopolitical zone, Mr Oyegun said, “We are very pleased. We thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone and for setting up his personal structures by ensuring, like a good son, he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it.

“We are pleased and can report that a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in the pursuit of his ambition.”

The group’s decision to support Mr Amaechi as its preferred presidential candidate comes as politicians scramble for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

The ADC has declared its presidential ticket open to all candidates from every geopolitical zone of the country.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who contested on different platforms in 2023, have also expressed interest in the ADC presidential ticket for 2027.