Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar may face difficulties winning the 2027 presidential election with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Wike argued that if Atiku is depending on Amaechi’s political influence to secure votes, his chances of victory could be limited.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, the FCT Minister said Amaechi’s selection as running mate may have been influenced by factors other than his ability to deliver votes.
“Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku, I have come to know that it will be difficult for Atiku to be president, in all the calculations if you are choosing a vice presidential candidate, a running mate, I’m sure that the only factor that made him to choose Amaechi may be financial.
“If it’s in terms of bringing votes to support Atiku, he is dead on arrival.”
Wike also questioned Amaechi’s electoral influence, recalling his role as Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in 2015 and 2019.
“I was a Minister of State while he was governor and I defeated him very well, he has never won an election since after 2011 when I was the DG of the campaign.
“He was the DG of Buhari in 2015 and Buhari did not get 25 percent, he was the DG in 2019 when he was a minister and Buhari did not get 25 percent.”
The minister further rejected claims that Amaechi remains a major political asset for Rivers State and the South South region.
“Is he an asset to Rivers State and South South? You must be a former governor that still has followers, you must say when you were a minister what did you bring to the people of your state? As a minister what did your government do to impact the lives of Rivers people, so it’s not about being former this or that.
“In the South South, which state will he have impact on and that’s why we say that the way we are, just one month ago, this was the same man who said the ADC primary was married by irregularities and corruption, the same man now is benefitting from the corruption and irregularities of the same system.”
Wike’s comments come amid increasing political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, as parties position themselves for the presidential contest.
