Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday submitted their presidential nomination forms at the national secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, formally entering the race ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, announcing the development via his X account, described his candidacy as part of a broader national movement aimed at restoring economic prosperity and rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s future. Speaking after submitting his forms, he said the initiative goes beyond partisan politics and is driven by a commitment to national renewal.

“The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the national secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” he wrote.

He added that the movement was “rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” calling on Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional divides to support the effort.

“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” Atiku said. “I call on all Nigerians, regardless of region, faith, or background, to join us in this noble cause. Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again.”

On his part, Amaechi pledged to transform Nigeria within four years if elected president, arguing that the 2027 contest should be determined by competence, experience, and performance rather than ethnicity or political sentiment.

He also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, linking current economic hardship to prevailing policy choices.

“What Nigerians should do is assess all of us who are running for office based on our records,” Amaechi said. “Let this be a referendum. If you have performed, whoever has outperformed the other, vote for the person.”

The former governor of Rivers State said his experience in public office had prepared him for national leadership, citing his tenure as governor from 2007 to 2015 and as Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.

“I believe I am the most experienced. I am young, I am the most experienced, and I believe I have the capacity,” he said. “Go back to Rivers State and see what I have done. Go back to the Ministry of Transportation and assess it and see whether I can turn the country around. And I will, in four years, turn the country around.”

Amaechi, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 campaign, oversaw major rail projects during his tenure as transport minister, including the Abuja–Kaduna and Lagos–Ibadan rail lines. However, some of the projects attracted scrutiny over rising public debt.

He further criticised the state of the economy, saying Nigerians were bearing the burden of policies that had worsened living conditions, and urged voters to prioritise competence over zoning or ethnic considerations.

“It is the ‘Emilokan’ mentality that brought us here. Now Nigerians are suffering,” he said.