Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred fresh debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns about the age and physical capacity of leading presidential hopefuls, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu.

Amaechi, who is also seeking the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s *The Morning Brief* on Friday. He said while Atiku Abubakar remains constitutionally eligible to contest, considerations around age and capacity should not be overlooked in assessing leadership suitability.

“He has the right to run for president of Nigeria and he is well qualified. However, he must recognise that there are other factors beyond eligibility and background,” Amaechi said.

The former Rivers State governor argued that the presidency requires high levels of physical and mental agility to effectively respond to national challenges.

“The ability to move around and observe what is happening is necessary for this role. How do you explain that a 49-year-old has just been elected president in Benin Republic, while leaders much older are still seeking office here?” he said.

Amaechi further noted that governance demands frequent engagement across the country, adding that the office requires a leader capable of active field assessment and rapid decision-making.

He also reiterated his intention to participate in the 2027 presidential race, stating that he would be actively involved in addressing Nigeria’s challenges if elected.

Addressing perceptions around identity politics, Amaechi distanced himself from regional or ethnic considerations in his political ambitions.

“They are all regional candidates, but I am not. I am not running because I am Igbo, even though I have Igbo heritage,” he said.

On internal party processes within the ADC, Amaechi expressed disagreement with any move to adopt a consensus arrangement for selecting a presidential candidate, insisting on a primary election.

“I believe there must be a primary. I do not support a consensus candidate. Party members should be allowed to choose their preferred aspirant,” he stated.

He also restated his longstanding opposition to zoning or regional rotation of political offices, arguing instead for merit-based selection of candidates.

Reflecting on past elections, Amaechi criticised the role of ethnic and religious considerations in political decision-making, referencing the 2023 presidential election.

“I have always maintained that Nigerians should move beyond region and ethnicity. That is part of what has contributed to our current challenges,” he said.