Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has expressed stroscepticismism over the presidential aspirations of his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, warning that any attempt to contest the 2027 general election would be futile.
Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s chances of securing a presidential ticket and winning the support of the Nigerian electorate.
According to him, Amaechi’s bid under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is “dead on arrival.”
Amaechi, who previously served as Minister of Transportation, was the runner-up in the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, which was won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He recently defected to the ADC in pursuit of its presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
Wike, who succeeded Amaechi as governor of Rivers State after the latter’s eight-year tenure, expressed absolute confidence that Amaechi would fail in his presidential pursuit.
He said, “He knows he won’t get the ticket. He claims he knows the president’s weaknesses and how to defeat him, but he also knew the president’s weaknesses in 2022, yet he was defeated mercilessly in the primary.”
The FCT minister further insisted that Amaechi has no realistic chance of leading the ADC to electoral success, arguing that Nigerians are already aware of his political limitations.
“Nigerians know the last person they will give a ticket to, because they understand that Amaechi’s bid is dead on arrival,” Wike added.
Beyond his political critique, Wike launched a direct attack on Amaechi’s record as governor, questioning his integrity and ability to fight corruption or uphold good governance.
He accused Amaechi of demonstrating a blatant disregard for the judiciary and the rule of law during his time in office in Rivers State.
Wike suggested that Amaechi’s past actions cast doubt on his ability to lead the nation effectively or tackle corruption—a key issue in Nigerian politics.
The FCT minister’s comments signal an intensifying rivalry between the two political heavyweights as the 2027 election approaches.
By emphasising Amaechi’s past defeats and alleged governance failures, Wike is positioning himself—and by extension, his political allies—as a formidable force against any potential opposition from the ADC.
Political analysts note that Wike’s strong rhetoric may also consolidate his influence within the ruling party and among voters in strategic regions, particularly in the South-South geopolitical zone, where both he and Amaechi have significant political clout.