Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, has claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari assured him of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ahead of the party’s 2022 primary and instructed him not to campaign.

Amaechi made the revelation during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, November 6, 2026, while reflecting on his defeat to President Bola Tinubu.

According to the former Minister of Transportation, he trusted Buhari’s assurance and refrained from making political deals with governors and other influential party stakeholders.

He described his decision to listen to the former president as his first mistake during the contest.

Amaechi said, “The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me, ‘Don’t campaign. Don’t do anything. I will announce you as my candidate.’

“He told me that. He put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out.”

He added that his decision not to negotiate political appointments with governors affected his chances, giving Tinubu an opportunity to build stronger political alliances.

Tinubu eventually won the June 2022 APC presidential primary with 1,271 votes, while Amaechi came second with 316 votes.

Although Amaechi claimed Buhari put the alleged promise in writing, he did not release the document during the interview, saying he would make it public in his forthcoming book.

Nigerians React

@Edvinng: Well politics is not for the faint hearted. Nobody owes you loyalty, they go for whoever that shares the same interest

@NwaAdaIgbo1: Joseph the dreamer
Nna jee zuo ike🤣

@uzor_chukwu1: The same mistake Wike is making now

@abiodunosagie1: Who fucking cares? Tf is wrong with these old men? So the stupid Buhari go meet him so he can make you president naw. These useless leaders we have. Jeez!!

@DoraAd10: Una just want to dey rule us turn by turn 🤦♀️🤦♀️

@NkyEzenwa: Amechi was played by those who he played favorites with…

@Godwin53663: You go trust Buhari