THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the emergence of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, describing the development as offering no electoral advantage to the opposition coalition.
News Point Nigeria reports that Wike argued that Amaechi’s political record, particularly his inability to significantly influence electoral outcomes in Rivers State while serving as governor and later as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, does not make him a strong political asset to the ADC ticket.
The FCT minister made the remarks during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Saturday.
Amaechi was recently named the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, after losing the party’s presidential primary to Atiku.
Questioning the political weight of Amaechi’s nomination, Wike maintained that his emergence as vice-presidential candidate would not significantly strengthen the ADC’s electoral prospects.
“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.
The FCT minister also revisited Amaechi’s previous comments regarding his role in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election, arguing that such statements could undermine his acceptance among Rivers voters.
“He publicly said he was among those who removed Jonathan. He did not want a South-South president to complete his tenure. Given that history, it will be difficult to sell his candidature to Rivers people,” he added.
Drawing a comparison between the current administration and previous governments, Wike argued that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had provided greater opportunities for appointments and manpower development in the Niger Delta.
“Any Rivers person who genuinely loves the state and wants its development cannot choose what is inferior over what is better. People should always put the interest of Rivers State first,” he said.
Continuing his criticism of the former Minister of Transportation, Wike accused Amaechi of political inconsistency over his recent engagement with the Ogoni ethnic nationality.
According to him, Amaechi failed to support an Ogoni governorship aspiration while he was in power but has now begun courting the same group after moving into the opposition.
“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?” Wike queried.
Commenting on reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike distanced himself and the mainstream leadership of the party from the move.
“I have never heard former President Jonathan say he wants to run for president,” he stated.
The minister also reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election, insisting that he had no reason to abandon the current administration.
“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,” Wike declared.
While acknowledging that the Peoples Democratic Party would eventually field a presidential candidate, the former Rivers governor said the party must first resolve its lingering internal crisis if it hopes to regain political relevance ahead of the next general election.
“As a party, we must present a candidate, but presenting a candidate does not automatically mean victory. The PDP has gone through a crisis and needs time to rebuild,” he said.
Wike further maintained that, after the completion of President Tinubu’s tenure, power should remain in the southern region in line with the principle of equity.
“It is the turn of the South,” the FCT minister declared.