By Sabiu Abdullahi
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has pledged to resign if Nigerians fail to experience noticeable improvements within one year of an Atiku Abubakar-led administration.
Amaechi made the commitment during an interview with NewsCentral TV on Friday, while outlining the party’s proposed economic policies ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said his decision to leave government would depend on his performance and whether the administration delivered meaningful changes to the country.
“I’m sure the president knows my character, the presidential candidate (Atiku Abubakar) knows my character, that if I’m not performing, I may likely leave government,” he said.
When asked whether he would step down as vice-president if he failed to deliver, the former Rivers State governor responded, “Of course. I’m not joking.”
Amaechi expressed confidence that an ADC government would gain widespread public approval within its first year, predicting that Nigerians would appreciate Atiku’s leadership.
“But the way the situation is and the way I know Atiku, our first year in office, he will be hailed as a hero,” he said.
“Atiku will be hailed as a hero. Nigerians will regret not voting for him earlier,” he added.
On the economy, Amaechi said the party planned to introduce a production subsidy to reduce petrol prices by making crude oil available to local refiners below international market rates.
He explained that participating refiners would have to pass the benefits of the arrangement to consumers through lower pump prices or purchase crude oil at the prevailing international rate.
“What we’re introducing is what we’ll call a production subsidy.
“If you don’t bring down the price, because the subsidy is aimed at bringing down the price, if you don’t do that, then you don’t get the subsidy.
“You either get the subsidy and bring down the price, or you buy at the international market rate,” he said.
On agriculture, Amaechi promised a review of existing policies, greater support for local farmers and measures to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food.
“We must review the agricultural policy,” he said.
“We must encourage Nigerian farmers. We will not be importing food.”
He argued that expanding agricultural production would generate employment and wealth while helping to tackle insecurity.
“Agriculture will create wealth, will create employment. Employment will reduce insecurity,” he added.
Amaechi also maintained that the party would continue its political activities despite a recent court judgment affecting its leadership structure.
“We are not stopping,” he said, insisting that the ADC would pursue its legal options while continuing its plans for the 2027 elections.
The party’s leadership crisis followed the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as head of its caretaker leadership after the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu. However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party, challenged the transition, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to succeed Nwosu.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in Gombe’s favour, declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullifying its decisions, including the process that produced Atiku as the ADC’s presidential candidate for 2027.
The ruling also affected the party’s other nominations for the elections.
The ADC rejected the judgment and announced on Friday that it had filed an appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution. It also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to refrain from taking further action pending the determination of the appeal.
