The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has reacted to a claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by noon on election day.
The ADC dismissed Wike’s statement, stressing that the power to declare election results rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not any politician.
The party also warned that no politician in Rivers State would win the 2027 election by “boasting” or attempting to deceive the electorate with what it described as lies and empty promises.
Wike had made the statement during a civic reception organised in his honour by the City Boy Movement at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.
Speaking to supporters at the event, Wike reportedly boasted that the ADC would be “roundly defeated” before noon on election day, despite the fact that Amaechi, the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate, is from the area.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, ADC Rivers State Chairman, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, described Wike’s comments as revealing and accused the minister of taking political “rascality” too far.
Dimkpa urged Rivers residents not to be intimidated by any politician, but to prepare to make what he called the right choice in 2027 by voting for credible leaders capable of improving their lives.
“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,” Dimkpa said.
The ADC chairman also criticised the timing of the reception, alleging that it coincided with Amaechi’s mother’s burial in Ubima, where people from across the country had gathered to commiserate with the family.
According to Dimkpa, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, used the occasion to organise a political reception along the same route, which he said caused traffic congestion and subsequently became an avenue to attack and taunt Amaechi while he was mourning his mother.
“It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing,” he said.
Dimkpa stressed that there should be a distinction between politics and humanity, arguing that political disagreements should not override basic human compassion.
“If Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry,” he said.
The ADC chairman explained that the party deliberately chose not to respond to the alleged provocation on Saturday because its attention was focused on ensuring that Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, received 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.
Dimkpa further reminded Wike that Rivers State belongs to all its citizens and that no individual or political leader owns the electorate or their votes.
“Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon,” he added.
Wike, however, had told his supporters at the reception that all candidates selected by the Rainbow Coalition would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections.
The latest exchange further highlights the growing political rivalry in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly between Wike and Amaechi, as political parties intensify their mobilisation and positioning for the contest.
