Amaechi won’t add value to Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid, says Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi would not be a political asset to the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general election.

Wike made the remarks on Saturday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, arguing that Amaechi’s political record does not support claims that he could significantly influence electoral outcomes in Rivers State or the South-South.

Amaechi emerged as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after losing the party’s presidential ticket to Atiku during its primary election in May.

Questioning Amaechi’s electoral strength, Wike said the former governor failed to produce a successor after leaving office and could not deliver at least 25 per cent of the votes for former President Muhammadu Buhari in Rivers State despite serving as director-general of the APC presidential campaign and later as Minister of Transportation.

“He was governor here and could not produce a successor. He was director-general of a presidential campaign, and they could not deliver 25 per cent for Buhari in Rivers State. He was also a minister and later became a campaign DG, yet the President still did not get 25 per cent in the presidential election,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also recalled Amaechi’s comments during the 2015 election in which he said he worked against former President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that such remarks could make it difficult for the former governor to enjoy broad support in the South-South region.

Wike further challenged Amaechi to account for his achievements as Minister of Transportation, saying political relevance should be measured by performance rather than titles. He contrasted Amaechi’s record with what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s support for Rivers State through federal appointments and infrastructure projects, including the Bodo-Bonny Road.

He also dismissed speculations that former President Goodluck Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election, noting that Jonathan had not publicly declared any intention to run and describing the reports as mere speculation.