Fresh indications suggest that the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), , may once again look towards Southern Nigeria—and particularly the South-East—when selecting his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
The position was reinforced by public affairs analyst Summer Sambo, who spoke during an appearance on Arise Television's Morning Show on Monday.
Reacting to recent political developments and party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sambo argued that available indicators point to the South-East as the region most likely to produce Atiku's vice-presidential nominee.
“The indicators around Atiku’s running mate suggest he’s likely to choose the South-East. The South-East has always been his political base in the South.
“In 2019 he picked Peter Obi, and in 2023 he picked Okowa. His move to the South-East may be aimed at reducing Peter Obi’s influence in the region,” he said.
Political observers note that Atiku's electoral calculations have historically reflected a desire to maximize support in regions where he enjoys significant political goodwill. The South-East has consistently remained one of his strongest support bases outside Northern Nigeria, making the zone a natural consideration in ongoing coalition discussions.
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The ADC standard-bearer recently secured his party's presidential ticket after defeating former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen during the party's presidential primary.
As consultations intensify within the ADC and the broader opposition coalition, attention is increasingly turning to a handful of prominent figures believed to be under consideration for the vice-presidential slot. Among the names most frequently mentioned are former Cross River State Governor , former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and Rotimi Amaechi.
However, should Atiku ultimately settle on the South-East as many analysts predict, Ihedioha's prospects could strengthen considerably. Unlike Duke, who hails from the South-South, and Amaechi, whose emergence could complicate existing political calculations within the coalition, Ihedioha offers Atiku direct access to a key South-East constituency at a time when the opposition is seeking to make inroads into a region traditionally influenced by Peter Obi's political appeal.
With the list of possible running mates appearing to narrow to Duke, Ihedioha and Amaechi, many within political circles believe the former Imo governor may be increasingly well-positioned if regional balancing and electoral strategy ultimately guide Atiku's final decision.