By Vincent Egunyanga and Ben Adoga, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the 2027 presidential ambition of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, is “dead on arrival.”
Wike, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, said Nigerians would not entrust Amaechi with the country’s leadership, stressing that the former Minister of Transportation lacked both the political strength and moral credentials to succeed.
“He knows he won’t get the ticket. I read that he said he knows the weaknesses of the President, so he knows how to defeat him, but he also knew the weaknesses of the President in 2022 when the President defeated him mercilessly in the primary.
“Nigerians know the last person they will give a ticket to because they know it is dead on arrival,” Wike declared.
Amaechi, who came second in the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary won by Bola Tinubu, defected from the ruling party in 2025 to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He has since aligned with the ADC-led opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the 2027 elections and is widely seen as one of its frontline aspirants.
But Wike insisted that Amaechi’s new platform offers no lifeline.
According to him, the former governor will not even clinch the ADC presidential ticket, let alone mount a credible challenge to President Tinubu’s hold on power.
The bitter rivalry between Wike and Amaechi dates back nearly two decades. Once close allies in Rivers State politics, the two men became sworn adversaries after a power tussle under former Governor Peter Odili.
Amaechi served as governor of Rivers from 2007 to 2015, before handing over to Wike, who in turn governed for eight years.
Since then, their relationship has deteriorated, with each seizing opportunities to question the other’s integrity and political relevance.
Wike used Tuesday’s interview to revisit Amaechi’s record, accusing him of undermining the judiciary and lacking commitment to anti-corruption during his tenure as governor.
*FCT Minister says he hasn’t been notified of PDP NEC meeting
Beyond his verbal missiles at Amaechi, Wike also touched on the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He revealed that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would meet on Wednesday (today) in Abuja to deliberate on critical issues affecting the opposition.
Dismissing claims of a planned convention in November, Wike insisted that no such decision had been taken.
“I am a member of NEC, and I am not aware of any convention. We will not allow illegality in PDP,” he maintained.
Pressed on who he would support in 2027, Wike said his backing would not be based on party loyalty but on competence.
“I don’t believe in sentiments, not party, but somebody who will move the country forward. In 2027, power will remain in the South,” he added.
*Touts security gains in Abuja
Wike also used the interview to defend his stewardship in the Federal Capital Territory, insisting that security in Abuja and across Nigeria is showing signs of improvement.
He credited the combined efforts of security agencies and policy measures for recent gains, including curbing the notorious “one chance” robbery menace.
“We have identified bad spots and smoked them out. We have chased criminals out of shanty areas,” the minister said, noting that both the United States and the United Kingdom had commended Nigeria’s improved efforts in tackling terrorism and insecurity.
