I wish you strength – Atiku tells Amaechi in birthday message

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has celebrated Rotimi Amaechi, ex-minister of transportation, who just turned 61.

Amaechi was born on May 27, 1965 in Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers state.

In a statement on his X page, Abubakar eulogised Amaechi, saying his years of service to the state and country provide hope for many Nigerians.

“Happy Birthday to my brother and fellow patriot, H.E. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, @ChibuikeAmaechi,” Abubakar wrote.

“Your courage, conviction, and years of service to Rivers State and Nigeria continue to inspire many across the nation.

“I wish you good health, strength, and many more years of impactful service to our dear country.”

The ex-vice-president and Amaechi are among contenders for the 2027 presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank.

The ADC conducted a nationwide direct presidential primary poll on Monday.

Results from 24 states and the FCT are in the bag, with Abubakar in the lead.

The states announced include Borno, Kebbi, Anambra, Abia, Ekiti, Ondo, Gombe, Oyo, Imo, Yobe, Nasarawa, Enugu, Benue, Osun, Adamawa and Kogi. Others are Kano, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara and the FCT.

Reports indicate that the former vice-president is on the verge of being declared winner of the exercise after securing victories in most of the states.

However, Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen have rejected the outcome of the primary over alleged widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amaechi describedthe declared numbers as “concocted”, saying he would not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values the ADC pledged to uphold.

Hayatu-Deen also described the results as “concocted”, insisting that the exercise failed to meet standards of fairness and transparency.(TheCable)