Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure in Rivers State and ally of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu may not contest the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, citing potential fallout from an alleged U.S. file on the president. Eze positioned Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, as the ideal candidate to challenge Tinubu, arguing that Nigerians are clamoring for Amaechi’s leadership to address the country‘s mounting crises. The remarks, which have stirred political speculation, highlight tensions within the APC and underscore Amaechi’s enduring influence despite his low profile since losing the 2022 APC presidential primary.
Eze stated that Nigerians frequently contact him, asking, “Is Amaechi ready to run for President in 2027?” and “What is Amaechi’s political direction for 2027?” He attributed this interest to widespread dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of prioritizing power retention over addressing Nigeria’s “wobbling economy, hunger, starvation, insecurity, and violent killings.” Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), argued that Tinubu’s focus on manipulating the 2027 election process reflects a failure of leadership, asserting, “That is not how democracy works.” He praised Amaechi’s public service record—two terms as Rivers governor and seven years as transport minister—as evidence of his suitability to “rescue Nigeria from her present precarious state.”
The reference to an alleged U.S. file on Tinubu, though vague, echoes past controversies surrounding his 1993 narcotics-related forfeiture case in Chicago, which resurfaced during the 2023 election. Eze suggested that if the U.S. releases this file, Tinubu “may not be in a position to even stand” for re-election, a claim that has fueled debate but lacks substantiation in current reporting. In 2023, the Rivers APC debunked similar claims attributed to Amaechi, with spokesperson Darlington Nwauju calling them a “hatchet job” and denying any link to drug trafficking allegations. Tinubu’s supporters, including the Tony Okocha-led Rivers APC faction, have accused Amaechi of anti-party activities, alleging he supported PDP‘s Atiku Abubakar in 2023, a charge Eze’s statement does not address.
Amaechi’s potential 2027 bid has gained traction amid his criticisms of Tinubu’s policies, such as the March 2025 emergency rule in Rivers, which he called “brazen and reckless.” Eze’s comments align with sentiments on X, where users like @HauwaAllahbura note Amaechi’s appeal as a “trusted” leader, though @urchilla01 doubts his ability to unify the APC against Tinubu’s entrenched support. Analysts suggest Amaechi’s silence on the APC’s February 2025 endorsement of Tinubu reflects strategic ambiguity, as he navigates Rivers’ factional politics and national ambitions. With Nigeria’s economy strained—34.2% inflation and N121 trillion debt per 2025 projections—Eze’s call for Amaechi’s candidacy taps into public frustration, but the alleged U.S. file remains a speculative wildcard, unconfirmed by credible sources.
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