Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has appealed to party stakeholders, supporters and loyalists to exercise patience with the party's vice-presidential candidate, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, saying he is working round the clock to lay a solid foundation for the party's 2027 presidential campaign.
Eze made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the increasing number of requests for personal meetings, telephone calls and appointments with Amaechi had become overwhelming as the vice-presidential candidate intensifies consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Amaechi's demanding schedule has left him with little time to respond to messages and phone calls, stressing that supporters should not interpret his silence as neglect.
"I have been inundated with series of text messages and calls asking for a meeting with the ADC Vice Presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Barr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. I wish to plead that we give him a little respite as he is under severe pressure to put things in place for us to have an easy sail to Aso Rock come 2027," Eze said.
He added that the former Rivers State governor currently works almost throughout the day, sleeping for only about two hours daily due to the intensity of preparations.
Eze disclosed that Amaechi is engaged in strategic meetings and consultations with key stakeholders, including the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as part of efforts to strengthen the party's chances in the next presidential election.
He said the consultations were aimed at building a formidable national campaign structure capable of delivering victory at the polls.
The ADC chieftain further stated that Amaechi remains appreciative of the goodwill and support shown by party faithful and assured that all outstanding requests would be attended to as soon as his schedule permits.
"I reiterate with every sense of humility, respect and patriotism that our vice-presidential candidate's silence should not be mistaken for neglect. He remains fully aware of and grateful for the messages and calls he has received and has assured that he will respond to all outstanding requests as soon as circumstances permit," Eze said.
On the composition of the campaign team, Eze explained that the 2027 project is a national movement and not a state-based political arrangement, stressing that appointments into the campaign structure would reflect recommendations from stakeholders across the country and would be based strictly on merit.
He urged members and supporters of the party not to wait for official appointments before contributing to the campaign, but to regard themselves as active participants in the effort to secure victory for the party.
Eze also called on supporters to begin grassroots mobilisation in their respective communities by forming local campaign teams to expand the party's reach ahead of the elections.
"This struggle for a better Nigeria and to save our country's democracy cannot be carried by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates alone. The battle to send President Bola Tinubu back to Lagos requires the collective effort of all patriotic Nigerians, and not necessarily about campaign positions and appointments," he said.
While thanking Nigerians for their continued support and understanding, Eze expressed confidence that Amaechi would engage more extensively with party members and the public at the appropriate time as preparations for the 2027 general elections progress.
