Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has said former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate for 2027 would not give the opposition coalition a significant electoral advantage.
Wike made the comments during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He argued that Amaechi’s political record in Rivers State does not show an ability to deliver significant electoral support, despite serving two terms as governor and later as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike Says Amaechi Could Not Deliver Rivers Votes for Buhari
Wike said Amaechi failed to secure 25% of the vote for Buhari in Rivers State despite his position in the former administration.
“Chibuike Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus to Amaechi. He was governor and could not deliver for Buhari. He was a Grade A minister and still could not secure 25 per cent for Buhari in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He also referenced Amaechi’s past comments about his role in the 2015 defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that this history could make it difficult for him to win support among Rivers voters.
Wike further criticised Amaechi’s recent engagement with the Ogoni community, accusing him of political inconsistency for reaching out to the group in opposition after allegedly opposing an Ogoni candidate’s governorship bid while in power.
“When he was in power, he denied an Ogoni man the opportunity to become governor. Now that he is in opposition, he is reaching out to them. Why deceive the public?” he said.
Wike Reaffirms Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
On reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party had submitted former President Goodluck Jonathan‘s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as a possible presidential candidate, Wike said neither he nor the mainstream PDP leadership was involved, adding that he had not heard Jonathan declare an intention to contest in 2027.
Wike reaffirmed his backing for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid.
“We are with the President and happy where we are. Nobody leaves something good for something worse. Tinubu will win, and I will support Tinubu,” he said.
He acknowledged that the PDP would field a presidential candidate in 2027 but said the party must first resolve its internal crisis and rebuild before it could regain political relevance.
Wike also maintained that presidential power should remain in southern Nigeria after Tinubu’s tenure, saying it would be the South’s turn next.
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Maybe he had not grace with those other parties, who knows what he will achieve with this new party? It is a game, we have to wait to see the results after game play, we cannot say from the beginning that it is lost when it has not started.