‘Jonathan and his wife chased me out of PDP,’ Rotimi Amaechi claims

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi revealed on Friday that he was forced out of the PDP by former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, while declaring his readiness to support Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential bid under the ADC.

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has revisited the circumstances surrounding his 2013 departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that he was driven out of the fold by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and the former First Lady. Speaking Friday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the former Rivers State Governor reflected on the political friction that led to his suspension for alleged anti-party activities and his subsequent move to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Amaechi was a pivotal figure in the “new PDP” (nPDP) faction, whose defection proved instrumental in Muhammadu Buhari’s historic 2015 election victory over the incumbent Jonathan.

Now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Amaechi signaled a potential shift in his political trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections. He indicated that his loyalty within the party would align with a specific leadership structure, specifically mentioning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Amaechi stated that should Atiku emerge as the standard-bearer for the ADC in the next presidential cycle, he would provide his full support to the campaign. This declaration marks a notable realignment, considering Amaechi’s previous role in the APC administration that governed Nigeria from 2015 to 2023.

Amaechi’s comments underscore the enduring impact of the 2013 political crisis on his career and his current outlook on Nigeria’s shifting party dynamics. During the interview, he centered his narrative on the personal and political pressures that necessitated his exit from the then-ruling party. Recalling the specific influence of the presidency at the time, he remarked: “I was chased out of the PDP by then President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife.” His latest stance suggests that the ADC is positioning itself as a primary vessel for prominent opposition figures seeking a fresh platform for the 2027 contest.

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