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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 the 2027 election would not give the opposition coalition a significant electoral advantage.
Wike spoke during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He argued that Amaechi’s previous political record in Rivers State did not demonstrate an ability to deliver significant electoral support, despite serving two terms as governor and later as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike said Amaechi failed to secure 25 percent 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 cited Amaechi’s previous comments about his role in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election, arguing that his political history could make it difficult for him to win support among Rivers voters.
Wike further criticised Amaechi over his recent engagement with the Ogoni community, accusing him of political inconsistency for reaching out to the group while in opposition after allegedly opposing an Ogoni candidate’s bid for the governorship when he was 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.
On reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party had submitted Jonathan’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a possible presidential candidate, Wike said neither he nor the mainstream PDP leadership was involved.
He also said he had not heard Jonathan declare an intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Wike reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he would remain with 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 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.
