Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, has pledged to abolish the federal character principle and replace indigeneship with citizenship if elected president in 2027.8

Amaechi made the declaration on Wednesday after appearing before the ADC Presidential Screening Committee in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said Nigeria must move away from identity-based politics and embrace a system built on competence, fairness and equal citizenship.

“There will be no federal character. A very good Nigerian will be a member of the Federation,” Amaechi said.

“Federal character is there because the system is unfair. So, it is one way to manage the system.”

He urged Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their achievements rather than ethnicity, religion or regional background.

“Assess us by what we’ve done and reach a conclusion rather than hearing I am from North. I’m from South. I am from East.

“I am not from South, East or West. I am a Nigerian. If I become president, I will not bring indigeneship. There will be citizenship,” he stated.

Amaechi also linked rising insecurity and kidnapping across the country to unemployment and economic hardship.

According to him, many young Nigerians are turning to crime because of worsening economic conditions.

The former minister dismissed suggestions that he could accept a vice-presidential position.

“I don’t want to be vice,” he said.

However, he said he would abide by the ADC’s decision if the party adopted a consensus arrangement acceptable to all aspirants.

“I am a member of the party now. If that’s the party decision, once it is a process that all of participate in,” he added.

Amaechi also expressed confidence in his presidential ambition, citing his experience in public office.

“The requirements for governorship are almost same requirements for the presidency,” he said.

Highlighting his record as Rivers State governor, Amaechi said his administration improved education and healthcare delivery.

“I was governor of Rivers State and I rebuilt education to standard such that people were leaving from private schools to government schools.

“We built health infrastructure and employed 400 doctors. We add 200 to make it 600. And then, we pursued free healthcare,” he said.

According to him, the healthcare model ensured government directly paid hospitals while expanding primary healthcare centres across communities.