Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the emergence of former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket, describing it as no political advantage to the opposition coalition.
Amaechi was recently named Atiku’s running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike argued that Amaechi’s political track record does not make him a strong electoral asset.
According to the former Rivers State governor, Amaechi failed to deliver meaningful electoral support for former President Muhammadu Buhari despite serving as a two-term governor of Rivers State and later as a senior minister in Buhari’s administration.
“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.
Wike also recalled Amaechi’s previous comments about his role in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election, arguing that such remarks could make it difficult for Rivers voters to support his candidacy.
“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.
The FCT minister further compared the current administration with previous governments, maintaining that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has created greater opportunities for appointments and manpower development for people from the Niger Delta region.
He urged Rivers residents to prioritise the state’s interests by supporting leaders and policies they believe would promote development.
“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,” Wike said.
Continuing his criticism of Amaechi, Wike accused the former minister of political inconsistency, particularly over his recent engagement with the Ogoni ethnic nationality.
According to Wike, Amaechi failed to support the emergence of an Ogoni governor while he was in power but is now courting the group’s support from the opposition.
“When he was in power, he denied an Ogoni man the opportunity to become governor. Now that he is in opposition, he is reaching out to them. Why deceive the public?” he said.
Addressing reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had submitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election, Wike distanced himself and the mainstream leadership of the party from the move.
He noted that Jonathan has not publicly declared any intention to contest the presidency.
“I have never heard former President Jonathan say he wants to run for president,” Wike stated.
Reaffirming his political stance, Wike declared his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid 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,” he said.
While acknowledging that the PDP is expected to field a presidential candidate, Wike warned that the party must first resolve its internal crisis if it hopes to regain political relevance.
“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 said.
He added that the PDP should concentrate on rebuilding its structures ahead of future elections, insisting that the presidency should remain in the South after the completion of Tinubu’s tenure.
“It is the turn of the South,” Wike said.
