The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the selection of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar would weaken the opposition’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a live radio interview in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike argued that Amaechi lacks the political influence needed to deliver Rivers State and the South-South region for the coalition.
The FCT minister maintained that Amaechi would struggle to convince voters in the state and across the region to support Atiku, citing his political record and his role in the events that led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.
According to Wike, Amaechi’s past electoral performances demonstrate that he has been unable to secure significant victories for candidates he supported.
“Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus for Atiku Abubakar,” Wike said.
He added that despite serving as Rivers State governor, Amaechi was unable to install a successor. Wike also noted that as Director-General of President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns and later as Minister of Transportation, Amaechi failed to deliver at least 25 percent of the votes for Buhari in Rivers State.
“So there are so many reasons why he cannot win Rivers for the ADC,” Wike said.
The minister further recalled Amaechi’s public admission that he was among those who worked to remove Jonathan from office in 2015, arguing that the former minister opposed the continuation of a South-South presidency.
“He didn’t want a South-South person to complete his tenure as president. So what we will take is vice president,” Wike stated.
The remarks come as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and coalitions positioning themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested presidential race.
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