By joshua 
Enugu ADC youth leaders back Amaechi’s presidential ambition
By Dirisu Yakubu
Ahead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary scheduled for May 25, youth leaders of the party in Enugu State have thrown their weight behind former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, insisting that power should remain in the South in 2027.
The youth leaders, drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, also distanced themselves from reports suggesting that ADC members in Enugu were backing the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Saturday, the group, led by Festus Omeh, said any claim that the state chapter of the party had endorsed Atiku did not reflect the position of the majority of party members and youths across the state.
The development comes amid growing tension within the ADC ahead of its presidential primary, with leading aspirants intensifying consultations and mobilising support across the country. The contest has also reopened the debate over power rotation between the North and South, a principle many political stakeholders insist remains critical to national balance and stability.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Omeh accused unnamed political interests of attempting to create a false impression about the position of ADC members in Enugu State.
“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the chairman’s statement does not represent the position, mood, or wishes of the majority of ADC members and youths in Enugu State. It is false, misleading, and appears designed to create a false impression before the national leadership and the Nigerian public,” he said.
The youth leaders argued that fairness and equity demanded that the presidency remain in the South beyond 2027, especially following years of agitation for power rotation across Nigeria’s geopolitical divides.
“For the sake of equity, fairness, and justice, we believe strongly that the presidency should remain in the South in 2027,” Omeh added.
“Nigeria cannot preach balance and national unity while attempting to abruptly return power to the North after only one Southern tenure. The right and honorable thing for our great party to have done from the onset was to zone the presidential ticket to the South,” he noted.
The issue of zoning is expected to play a major role in the ADC primary, particularly with the presence of both Northern and Southern aspirants in the race. While Atiku Abubakar represents the most prominent Northern contender, Amaechi is currently regarded as the leading Southern aspirant seeking the party’s ticket.
The Enugu ADC youths also rejected what they described as attempts by vested interests to manipulate the views of party members in the state ahead of the primary election.
“We therefore reject every attempt by political interests and sponsors hiding behind the state chairman to manipulate the genuine wishes of ADC members in Enugu State,” Omeh stated.
Declaring their support for Amaechi, the group described the former Rivers governor as the aspirant best positioned to unite the country and provide credible leadership.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that ADC youths in Enugu State will not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar. We are fully aligned with and committed to supporting the only Southern presidential aspirant who has officially declared under the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, whom we believe represents courage, competence, fairness, and national balance,” he said.
The youth leaders further warned against any alleged attempt to compromise the integrity of the party’s primary process, insisting that delegates and party members must be allowed to freely determine the outcome of the contest.
“We also use this medium to warn against any form of manipulation, rigging, alteration, or misrepresentation of the votes and preferences of ADC members in Enugu State during the processes scheduled for the 25th,” Omeh said.
“The will of party members must prevail. Any attempt to impose predetermined outcomes will be resisted democratically and lawfully by the youths and stakeholders of the party in the state,” he added.
The group also called on the National Executive Council of the ADC to closely monitor developments in the party’s Enugu chapter to prevent internal disputes that could undermine party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Finally, we call on the National Executive Council of the ADC in Abuja to pay urgent and particular attention to developments in Enugu State to ensure transparency, fairness, and peace within the party,” Omeh added.
“The leadership must not allow a few politically sponsored individuals to create avoidable tension where the overwhelming majority of party faithful are united in support of Rotimi Amaechi,” he noted.
The intervention by the Enugu youth leaders highlights the intensifying battle for influence within the ADC as the party attempts to position itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
SOURCE: PUNCH