The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over his recent claim that the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by midday on election day.
Wike made the statement on Saturday, September 5, during a civic reception organised in his honour by the City Boy Movement in Omagwa, Rivers State.
Reacting to the comment, ADC Rivers State Chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, described Wike’s claim as empty political boasting and accused the minister of engaging in what he called political rascality.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday, September 7, Dimkpa said elections could not be won through intimidation, political influence or declarations made ahead of voting.
“Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike, will declare the winner,” he said.
Dimkpa also condemned the timing of Wike’s civic reception, noting that it took place on the same day Amaechi was burying his mother in Ubima.
According to the ADC chairman, mourners had travelled from different parts of Nigeria to attend the burial when Wike and Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Charles Wobodo, allegedly used the same route and occasion for a political gathering.
He claimed that the event obstructed part of the road, created traffic congestion and was subsequently used as a platform to taunt Amaechi while he was mourning his mother.
“It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing,” Dimkpa said, stressing that there should be a distinction between political rivalry and moments of bereavement.
He questioned what the incident suggested about Wike’s character, arguing that political differences should have been put aside during the funeral.
Dimkpa explained that the ADC deliberately refrained from responding to Wike’s remarks on Saturday because the party’s attention was focused on giving Amaechi’s mother a befitting burial.
“We refused to dignify the provocation with a response that day because our attention was on giving Mama a befitting burial,” he said.
The ADC chairman, however, warned Wike against assuming ownership of Rivers State or its electorate.
“But Wike should understand that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon,” he added.
Dimkpa also urged Rivers residents not to allow themselves to be intimidated as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
He called on voters to focus on electing leaders they consider credible and capable of improving their lives, rather than being influenced by what he described as political theatre.
At the civic reception, Wike had told his supporters that candidates fielded by the Rainbow Coalition would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections.
The FCT Minister, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite openly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, has also previously stated that he expects to become a major target of opposition forces if Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
Wike has continued to play a prominent role in the political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly amid growing rivalry between supporters of the ruling party and opposition coalition groups.
