International human rights lawyer, Kola Alapinni, has expressed strong doubts over the presidential ambition of former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing his expected participation in the 2027 race as unnecessary and unlikely to yield success.
Alapinni made the comments during a televised political discussion aired on Arise News on Saturday, May 16, 2026, where analysts examined Nigeria’s evolving political alliances and early positioning ahead of the next general elections.
During the interview, he questioned Amaechi’s level of national acceptance and suggested that the former governor may struggle to gain widespread support across Nigeria’s diverse regions if he chooses to contest for the presidency.
“Rotimi Amaechi has no business running for the presidency. This is just a waste of 90 million naira,” he stated.
He explained that the high cost of purchasing nomination forms and setting up early campaign structures places a heavy financial burden on aspirants, especially those who do not have strong nationwide backing or solid internal party consensus.
According to him, such investments are often not justified when a candidate lacks the political reach or influence required to compete effectively at the presidential level.
Alapinni further argued that in Nigeria’s political environment, some individuals declare interest in the presidency not necessarily because they expect to win, but to remain politically relevant or to strengthen their bargaining position within party negotiations and coalition arrangements.
He noted that this trend has become more visible as political actors and parties begin strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with many aspirants using early declarations as leverage.
The lawyer also emphasized that winning a presidential election in Nigeria requires more than political experience, stressing the importance of nationwide acceptance, cross-regional trust, and a strong organisational structure capable of mobilizing voters across different parts of the country.
He warned that without these essential qualities, many aspirants risk making little or no impact in the race, regardless of their past government experience or political influence.
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