Wike says Amaechi as Atiku's VP won't help in elections

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has spoken against the choice of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election. He said Amaechi's selection does not give the opposition any electoral edge.

Wike reminded everyone that Amaechi, who served two terms as Rivers State governor and later as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, did not make a real impact on election results for Buhari in Rivers State.

He believes that Amaechi's political history does not make him a strong asset for the opposition coalition.

Wike shared his views during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Amaechi was recently announced as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election. This came after Amaechi lost to Atiku in the party’s presidential primary.

“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 pointed to Amaechi’s past comments about his role in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election, saying these statements might hurt his chances with 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.

Wike also compared the current government with previous administrations. He said President Bola Tinubu’s government has given more chances for appointments and growth 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 Amaechi, Wike accused the former Minister of Transportation of being politically inconsistent because of his new outreach to the Ogoni ethnic group.

“When he was in power, he denied an Ogoni man the chance to become governor. Now that he is in opposition, he is reaching out to them. Why deceive the public?” he asked.

On the issue of former President Goodluck Jonathan's name being submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike said he and the mainstream PDP leadership were not involved.

“I have never heard former President Jonathan say he wants to run for president,” he stated.

The minister confirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“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.

While he acknowledged that the PDP will present a presidential candidate, Wike said the party must first sort out its internal issues if it wants to regain political strength.

“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 explained.

He added that power should stay in the South after Tinubu’s time is up.

“It is the turn of the South,” Wike said.