Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi  has expressed  concerns over the age of presidential aspirants and candidates  in Nigeria stressing  that Nigeria  needs younger and more energetic qualified persons into  leadership for the country.

The former Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition  African Democratic Congress (ADC) argued Benin Republic got it right when a 49-year-old man was elected it’s  president and urged Nigeria to borrow a cue.

He said the Benin Republic serves as a model for a generational shift in leadership across the region.

Appearing on Channels Television Morning Brief, Rotimi Amaechi pointedly  questioned the capacity of leaders in their 70s to effectively manage the demands of the presidency and doubted if candidates beyound the ages of 70 years  can maintain the rigorous schedule required to govern, including early briefings and regular engagement with stakeholders.

Describing himself as the youngest presidential candidate within the ADC, Amaechi emphasisedd the need for Nigeria to consider competence, energy, and broader national factors when selecting its next leader.

Amaechi acknowledged  that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has the constitutional right to contest the presidency, he  however  stressed that the race should not be defined solely by regional considerations.

According to him  other candidates within the emerging political coalition are largely regional figures, suggesting the need for a more nationally appealing candidate.

Amaechi’s remarks come amid ongoing political realignments and early positioning ahead of future presidential elections.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had announced his withdrawal from  presidential contest after the 2027 exercise .

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi  and Rotimi Amaechi are the three front runners for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).