The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims by former senator Magnus Abe that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 because it was the North’s turn to produce the president.

The party described Abe’s account as untrue, insisting that Amaechi’s opposition to Jonathan was based on his view that the former president had done little for Rivers State.

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Abe reportedly made the claim on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition candidates in Rivers State.

He also called on Amaechi to resign as the ADC’s 2027 vice-presidential candidate, arguing that it was the South’s turn to produce the country’s leadership.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, Rivers ADC Publicity Secretary Chizy Enyi accused Abe of misrepresenting Amaechi’s position.

Enyi said Amaechi’s support for former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election was not motivated by whether power should remain in the North or move to the South.

“All Nigerians knew that Amaechi’s support for Buhari was not as a result of the North or South, but because Jonathan was accused of not doing anything in Rivers State,” Enyi said.

He maintained that Amaechi had opposed Jonathan’s re-election because he believed the former president had failed to deliver enough for the people of Rivers State.

“The reason was that Amaechi didn’t support Jonathan because he said the former president didn’t do anything for Rivers people. Amaechi never said it was the turn of the South or North,” he added.

Enyi also challenged Abe to provide evidence for his account of Amaechi’s alleged remarks.

“Even Magnus cannot make public the statement he claimed Amaechi made,” he said.

The exchange highlights disagreements within the ADC over the interpretation of political events surrounding the 2015 presidential election and the arguments over regional power rotation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abe’s position, as reported, links Amaechi’s opposition to Jonathan to the argument that presidential power should rotate between the North and South.

The Rivers ADC, however, maintains that Amaechi’s stance was driven by his assessment of Jonathan’s performance in the state.

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The claims and counterclaims were not independently verified in the material provided. Amaechi’s response to the latest criticism was not included in the report.