Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, two-time Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of Transportation may not have publicly indicated interest in the presidential ticket of his party, but somehow, his name is gradually been linked to a race which may fully commence around 2022.
Until admirers of the best performing Minister began to drop his name, only the name of the Lagos kingmaker, Ahmed Bola Tinubu from the South West has been on the lips of APC supporters.
With no northern candidate within the APC in the reckoning, at least at this time, the thinking is that the geographical area which enjoys a sizeable part of Nigeria’s population may have foreclosed its participation in the forthcoming presidential race.
What this means is that power may be headed for the South in line with the rotational principle.
Recall that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, a powerful player within northern political circles had earlier said northerners would not aspire for power after President Muhammadu Buhari completes his tenure.
So far, Amaechi has maintained low political visibility, refusing to make comments on national issues.
He has rather focused on his current assignment which is connected to building infrastructure that may change the outlook of the transport sector forever.
President Buhari acknowledged this fact publicly in his birthday message on May 27, 2020. His comments has left many Nigerians speculating over the political future of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.
While congratulating him for “a meteoric political rise, underlined by his forthrightness, diligence and deep sense of loyalty and patriotism”, the President said he believed that Amaechi’s
“investments in the development of Rivers State” as well as his “current efforts in building infrastructure across the country will always be remembered by posterity.”
Buhari prayed that “ the almighty God will position the Director General of his Presidential Campaigns for greater glory, and grant him more opportunities to serve the country and humanity.”
What did the President mean by ‘greater glory’? That is what most Nigerians are trying to decipher as they analyze his message on the occasion of Amaechi’s 55th birthday.
Only the President can explain what he meant by his remark, but supporters of Tinubu appear to be shocked by it.
There are indications that strategists in his camp have been analyzing the message since it was made public by Garba Shehu.
According to a Tinubu supporter in Rivers State, “We are studying the stance of the President. It is beginning to look as if Buhari has a soft spot for Amaechi, but we shall not be deterred by this.”
If the President’s birthday message is resonating across the country at a time that warlords are getting set to corner the Presidency, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a well known Buhari apologist drove the nail into the coffin.
“Amaechi’s key leadership quality is his sense of inclusion, he likes to bring everyone on board, he loves teamwork, he empowers people to put in their best, he doesn’t pretend to know it all or try to do everything.
“He is one of the few politicians from the Niger Delta that is Pan Nigeria. I think in the history of Nigeria there hasn’t been any Minister of Transportation that has been able to achieve the landmark Amaechi has achieved in very difficult circumstances.
“I am confident that if and when Nigeria is looking for a leader that will take us to a higher level, you will be up there on the frontline among those that will be counted”, the Governor noted.
Speaking on the relationship which exists between Amaechi and President Buhari, El-Rufai intoned,“President Buhari loves Amaechi like a son, he trusts him absolutely, which is why in spite of all opposition, many attempts to put Amaechi in bad light, he twice selected him to lead his campaign and also as the Minister of Transportation.”
Observers say El-Rufai’s contribution sounded like an open endorsement, especially from the North.
President Buhari has for years kept a tight hold on 12 million votes from the North.
Those votes from his stronghold haven’t depleted and there are strong feelings that anyone that Buhari favours to succeed him might have those solid votes intact.
Somehow, support for Amaechi is growing in the South East where Ibos are increasingly identifying with him.
The Ibos see Amaechi as a fellow Ibo man and most in Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states are setting up pro-Amaechi groups on their own in preparation for the race to come.
In the South South where former President Goodluck Jonathan appears to be leaning in the direction of the APC, the scenario is changing.
Not long ago, Jonathan aligned himself with Godwin Obaseki, describing him as a Governor who has worked for Edo people.
The former President had visited Edo during which he met with the State governor at Government House, Benin.
Jonathan’s remark was a slap on the face of Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the APC who in league with the Tinubu camp are fighting hard to remove Obaseki because of his support of a group of governors who are standing with Amaechi and others who are strongly behind the President.
Oshiomhole was saved by the bell at the last moment as persons seen as Amaechi’s allies almost shoved him out of office, but for the intervention of the President.
Somehow, it does not appear that Oshiomhole has learnt his lessons, given what is still playing out in Edo.
In Delta State, Ovie Omo Agege, Deputy Senate President who was supposed to be the arrowhead of the Tinubu push into the South South has slowed down considerably after it was revealed that he may have a few skeletons in his cupboard.
Despite having the political sagacity and a tight control of what goes on in Lagos, Tinubu appears to be alarmed by the inroad that Amaechi and his friends have made into Nigeria’s South West.
Although Amaechi has not declared any intention, he would be about the third Rivers man to set his gaze on the Presidency.
The first in the old Rivers State was late Senator Melford Okili who ran under National Republican Convention, NRC. The second was his political master, Governor Peter Odili who nearly clinched the presidential ticket of the PDP before events turned against him during the convention.
If Amaechi accepts to run for the presidency, he would be the third Rivers politician to contemplate leading Nigeria.