Amaechi Claims Buhari Promised Him APC Presidential Ticket in Writing Ahead of 2022 Primary

African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly promised him the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ahead of the party’s 2022 presidential primary but advised him not to campaign.

Amaechi made the revelation during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, November 6, 2026, while discussing his defeat to President Bola Tinubu in the APC presidential contest.

According to the former Minister of Transportation, he relied on Buhari’s assurance that he would be selected as the party’s presidential candidate and consequently avoided campaigning or negotiating political support with governors and other influential party members.

Amaechi described his decision to follow Buhari’s instruction as the first mistake he made during the contest, arguing that it weakened his chances of securing the party’s ticket.

Recounting the alleged conversation, he 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 told me that. He put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out.”

The ADC chieftain further explained that his decision not to negotiate political appointments with governors and other party stakeholders affected his campaign, while Tinubu was able to build stronger political alliances ahead of the primary.

Amaechi also claimed that Buhari’s promise was documented in writing. However, he did not present the alleged document during the radio interview, saying he intended to make it public in his forthcoming book.

Tinubu eventually emerged as the APC presidential candidate at the June 2022 primary after securing 1,271 votes, while Amaechi finished second with 316 votes.

Amaechi’s revelation has brought renewed attention to the internal political negotiations and alliances that shaped the APC presidential contest in 2022.

His account also raises questions about the alleged assurance from Buhari and the circumstances surrounding the party’s selection process. However, the former president’s alleged written promise has not been independently established by the document, which Amaechi says he plans to release in his book.