Amaechi: Buhari promised me APC presidential ticket, I shouldn’t have listened to him

Former Rivers State Governor and Transportation Minister when General Muhammadu Buhari was president, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed how the late Commander-in-Chief promised him the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.
During the party primary held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu defeated Amaechi to get the ticket. While Amaechi came second, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) came third.
Amaechi, who was also Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, alleged that Buhari promised in writing to endorse him ahead of the primary in 2022 but failed to honour the commitment.
Speaking on Mainland 98.3 FM’s ‘The Situation Room’ programme on Friday, Amaechi described his decision to trust Buhari as his first mistake in the contest.
He also promised to release details of Buhari’s commitment in his book which will hit the market soon.
He revealed that because of the assurance, he did not negotiate political deals that could have strengthened his chances of securing the party’s nomination.
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 put it in writing. When I write my book, I will put it out,” he said.