By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday dismissed former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, as a politician without electoral value, insisting that neither the former Rivers governor nor the emerging opposition coalition poses any threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike said Amaechi lacks the political influence and grassroots support required of a vice-presidential candidate, arguing that his selection by the ADC could not have been based on electoral strength.
“If you are choosing a vice-presidential candidate, the only factor that may have qualified Rotimi Amaechi is financial because he cannot deliver votes,” Wike declared.
The FCT minister backed his claim with Amaechi’s electoral record, recalling that the former Rivers governor served as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019 but failed to secure the constitutional 25 per cent threshold for the APC in Rivers State.
He also noted that Amaechi supported former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, yet the PDP failed to make significant electoral gains in the state.
“He was Buhari’s Director-General in 2015 and 2019, yet he couldn’t deliver 25 per cent in Rivers. In 2023, he backed Atiku but couldn’t even deliver 15 per cent. Those are the facts,” he said.
Wike maintained that genuine political relevance is measured by electoral performance and developmental impact rather than public office or political rhetoric.
He challenged Amaechi to identify landmark federal projects attracted to Rivers State during his tenure as Minister of Transportation, arguing that the state is receiving unprecedented federal attention under President Tinubu’s administration.
“Never in the history of Rivers State have we enjoyed the level of federal attention we are getting today. Projects like the Bonny Road speak for themselves,” he said.
The minister also accused Amaechi of political inconsistency, noting that the former minister had recently criticised the electoral process that produced candidates before accepting the ADC vice-presidential ticket.
“Only weeks ago, he condemned party primaries as fraudulent and manipulated. Today, he is benefiting from the same process. Nigerians can judge the contradiction,” Wike added.
He further argued that many people in the South-South had not forgotten Amaechi’s role in opposing the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and his alleged involvement in events surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
According to him, those political decisions have continued to shape public perception of Amaechi across the region.
*Coalition cannot stop Tinubu
Turning to the opposition coalition, Wike dismissed it as an alliance driven by personal ambition rather than national interest, insisting that political alliances without performance would not persuade Nigerians to abandon the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“You cannot deceive Nigerians with political gatherings. Elections are won with performance, structure and the confidence of the people—not media hype,” he said.
The minister argued that many leaders of the coalition had occupied top positions in previous administrations but failed to address the same national challenges they now criticise.
“Those attacking this administration today had opportunities to solve these problems when they were in office. Nigerians know their records,” he stated.
Wike said the APC would approach the 2027 general election on the strength of President Tinubu’s achievements in infrastructure development, economic reforms and governance, expressing confidence that the ruling party would retain power.
“Our campaign is our performance. When you have fulfilled your promises, you return to the people with your report card. That is what will determine the 2027 election,” he said.
