Amaechi Says Buhari Promised Him APC Presidential Ticket In 2022, Admits Regret Over Listening To Him

Amaechi Says Buhari Promised Him APC Presidential Ticket In 2022, Admits Regret Over Listening To Him

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the late President Muhammadu Buhari promised him the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential ticket in 2022.

Amaechi said Buhari told him not to campaign and not to do anything, assuring him that he would announce him as his candidate.

He made the disclosure during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, November 7, 2026.

Amaechi said his biggest mistake at the APC presidential primary was listening to Buhari.

According to him, Buhari said, Don’t campaign. Don’t do anything. I will announce you as my candidate.

He added that Buhari put the promise in writing, and that he would publish it when he writes his book.

Amaechi said he was wrong to have believed that Buhari’s support alone would give him an advantage over other aspirants.

He explained that he did not do deals with delegates or governors ahead of the primary, unlike President Bola Tinubu.

Amaechi said, I didn’t do deals. So I would have promised you vice-president, promised you SGF, and then would have gone for this primary, I would have possibly won. I would have had governors on my side.

He added, Because I didn’t do deals, Tinubu had the chance to do deals.

Amaechi also alleged that religion played a role in the 2022 APC presidential primary.

He claimed Tinubu’s supporters used religious appeals to gain support among delegates, particularly in the North.

According to Amaechi, a group of Yoruba Muslims from the South approached governors in the Northwest and appealed to them to support Tinubu on religious grounds.

He also mentioned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whom he said initially supported his presidential ambition but later backed Tinubu.

Amaechi said, El-Rufai was my supporter. El-Rufai, in a viral video, said this is done for the faith.

Despite his claims about religion in the contest, Amaechi said he would not use religious identity to mobilise political support.

He said he believes in national unity and that encouraging Nigerians to vote based on shared religious beliefs could deepen divisions in the country.

Amaechi said, I wouldn’t want to run that kind of federation. Catholics are 35 million in Nigeria. I wouldn’t want to go to the Catholic Church and say, please announce me. Tell them that all Catholics must go out and vote Amaechi.

He added, It will cause confusion. It will cause problems in the country. That makes me a nationalist.

Tinubu defeated Amaechi and other aspirants at the APC presidential primary held at Eagle Square, Abuja, in June 2022, polling 1,271 votes against Amaechi’s 316.

Amaechi is now the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 general election.

What do you think about Amaechi’s claim? Share your thoughts in the comments.