By Sandra Kenneth
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the political impact of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s selection as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, describing it as zero electoral advantage to the opposition.
Speaking during a broadcast media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike asserted that Amaechi’s past political track record shows he lacks the capacity to deliver major electoral wins in Rivers State.
Past Track Record Under Scrutiny
Wike cited Amaechi’s performance during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administrations, pointing out that despite serving eight years as governor and holding a major cabinet position as Minister of Transportation, Amaechi failed to secure significant votes for the ruling party in the state.
“Chibuike Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus… 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 stated.
Amaechi was recently named as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under the ADC platform, following the party’s presidential primary where Atiku emerged victorious.
The Jonathan and Regional Factor
The FCT Minister further argued that Amaechi’s political past, particularly his role in the 2015 presidential election, would hinder his credibility among voters in the South-South region.
Wike recalled Amaechi’s previous admissions regarding the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan:
“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 also accused the former Transportation Minister of political opportunism regarding his recent engagements with the Ogoni ethnic group. Wike noted that while in power, Amaechi passed over Ogoni candidates for the governorship, making his current outreach hypocritical.
Backing Tinubu for 2027
Contrasting past administrations with the present, Wike praised President Bola Tinubu for delivering key appointments and fostering manpower development across the Niger Delta. He urged the people of Rivers State to align with the current administration rather than opposition alliances.
“Any Rivers person who genuinely loves the state and wants its development cannot choose what is inferior over what is better,” Wike remarked, reaffirming his firm support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Addressing rumors regarding former President Jonathan’s potential candidacy under a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike clarified that neither he nor the main leadership of the PDP was involved in submitting Jonathan’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He added that the PDP must resolve its internal crises before it can present a formidable challenge in upcoming elections.
REACTIONS FROM OGONI YOUTH GROUP
The Ogoni Youth Development Initiative (OYDI) has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over recent disparaging remarks directed at former Governor Rotimi Amaechi for nominating an Ogoni governorship candidate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a press briefing held in Port Harcourt, the group characterized Wike’s comments as a direct insult to the political aspirations, dignity, and collective intelligence of the Ogoni ethnic nationality.
Speaking to journalists, OYDI President Imeabe Saviour-Oscar described the FCT Minister’s ridicule of political strategies surrounding the Ogoni governorship slot as “deeply ironic and hypocritical.”
Saviour-Oscar pointed out that throughout Wike’s eight-year tenure as Governor of Rivers State, qualified and competent Ogoni sons and daughters were consistently passed over for the state’s highest political office. He further accused Wike of weaponizing the population strength and political loyalty of the Ogoni people solely for personal advantage.
“It is the height of hypocrisy for Nyesom Wike to laugh at any effort to give the Ogoni people a voice,” Saviour-Oscar stated. “Throughout his eight years as governor, he completely sidelined capable Ogoni indigenes while weaponizing our loyalty for his own political survival.”
The youth coalition demanded that Wike issue an immediate, unreserved public apology to the Ogoni nation. The group also warned the minister to stop using the political future of Ogoniland as a punchline or leverage for settling personal political rivalries.
