Amaechi Won’t Add Electoral Value to Atiku — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions that former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, will strengthen Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the former minister lacks the political influence to deliver votes.

Wike made the remarks during a media parley in Port Harcourt on Friday while reacting to Amaechi’s emergence as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Amaechi was named Atiku’s running mate after losing the party’s presidential ticket to the former vice-president during the ADC primary held in May.

Questioning Amaechi’s electoral value, Wike argued that his political record does not justify claims that he would significantly boost Atiku’s campaign.

According to the minister, Amaechi was unable to install a successor after serving as governor of Rivers State and also failed to deliver substantial votes for former President Muhammadu Buhari while serving as director-general of the APC presidential campaign.

“Rotimi Amaechi is not a plus to Atiku Abubakar,” Wike said, adding that Buhari failed to secure 25 per cent of votes in Rivers despite Amaechi’s prominent role in the campaign.

Wike also revisited Amaechi’s role in the 2015 general election, recalling comments attributed to the former governor in which he claimed to have worked against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.

He argued that such remarks could weaken Amaechi’s acceptance across the South-South region, where Jonathan remains widely respected.

The FCT minister further questioned Amaechi’s legacy as Minister of Transportation, asking what tangible projects or economic opportunities he brought to Rivers State during his tenure.

Wike contrasted Amaechi’s record with what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s support for Rivers State through strategic appointments of indigenes into federal positions and the execution of key infrastructure projects, including the Bodo-Bonny Road.

He maintained that Rivers people would benefit more from supporting Tinubu’s administration than aligning with politicians whose records, according to him, failed to produce meaningful development.

On speculation that former President Jonathan could contest the 2027 election under the Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party, Wike dismissed the reports as unfounded, noting that Jonathan had not publicly declared any intention to run.

He added that despite political differences, he still enjoys a cordial personal relationship with the former president.