Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi will strengthen former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a media parley in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike argued that Amaechi’s political record does not suggest he can significantly influence electoral outcomes in Rivers State or elsewhere in favour of Atiku.
Amaechi emerged as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after losing the party’s presidential ticket to Atiku during the party’s primary in May.
Reacting to claims by ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi that Amaechi remains one of Nigeria’s most respected political leaders with widespread support across the country, Wike disagreed.
“Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not a plus to Atiku Abubakar,” Wike said.
The FCT minister recalled that Amaechi failed to install a successor as Rivers governor and was unable to deliver at least 25 per cent of the votes in Rivers State for former President Muhammadu Buhari while serving as director-general of the APC presidential campaign.
“Remember, he was governor here and could not produce a successor. He was director-general of a presidential campaign, and they could not deliver 25 per cent for Buhari in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He also revisited Amaechi’s past comments about former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the former governor had publicly admitted working against Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.
According to Wike, those remarks could make it difficult for Amaechi to regain political acceptance across the South-South region.
“He came out on national television and said he was one of those who kicked out President Jonathan. He said he did not want a South-South person to complete his tenure as president. Now, how do you return to the same South-South people and expect them to celebrate you?” he asked.
Wike further questioned Amaechi’s achievements as Minister of Transportation, insisting that political relevance should be judged by tangible results rather than titles.
“The question is simple: what is the record? What is the report card? As a minister, what did you bring to Rivers State? What projects did you attract? What opportunities did you create? Rivers people deserve answers,” he said.
The minister contrasted Amaechi’s record with what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Rivers State, citing key appointments for Rivers indigenes and ongoing federal infrastructure projects, including the Bodo-Bonny Road.
Wike also described his appointment as FCT Minister as a significant recognition of Rivers State by the Tinubu administration.
On reports linking former President Goodluck Jonathan with a possible 2027 presidential bid under a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike dismissed the speculation.
“I have never heard President Jonathan say he is running for election. INEC will determine who the candidates are. Until then, all these speculations remain just that—speculations,” he said.
Despite political differences, Wike maintained that he still enjoys a cordial relationship with Jonathan.
