The political battle ahead of the 2027 general elections has taken another turn in Rivers State, with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, openly questioning the electoral strength of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its prominent figure, former governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike, who spoke on Saturday during a rally organised in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in Port Harcourt, expressed confidence that the ADC would face serious difficulties convincing Rivers voters to support its candidates in the next general election.
Rather than limiting his address to promoting Tinubu’s second-term ambition, the minister devoted part of his speech to criticising Amaechi, challenging his political influence and revisiting issues surrounding his administration as governor of Rivers State.
One of the major issues Wike raised was Amaechi’s reported assertion that he did not need to campaign in Rivers State because of his existing popularity.
The minister dismissed such confidence, arguing that political reputation alone cannot guarantee electoral success. He suggested that candidates must make efforts to connect with voters and explain why they deserve their support.
Wike consequently challenged Amaechi to demonstrate his claimed popularity when the electorate makes its decision in 2027.
He also warned against any attempt to question the credibility of the election if the ADC eventually fails to achieve its expected result in the state.
According to him, Amaechi should not claim that he participated in an extensive campaign or blame electoral irregularities for a poor outcome if he had already indicated that campaigning in Rivers was unnecessary.
"Let it be on record that the vice-presidential candidate of ADC has told the world that he does not need to campaign in Rivers State. Let it not be tomorrow, he will say that he campaigned and the election was rigged. He did not campaign, and nobody is going to vote for him," Wike declared.
The minister’s comments were delivered before supporters gathered for Tinubu’s presidential campaign rally, where he used the occasion to reinforce his political alignment with the president.
He maintained that Rivers State had reasons to support Tinubu, pointing to what he described as the president’s willingness to recognise and accommodate the interests of the state.
To strengthen his argument, Wike referred to Amaechi’s earlier comments about the importance of brotherhood in politics.
He recalled that the former governor had reportedly suggested that the true meaning of brotherhood lies in standing by people when they encounter difficult situations.
Wike used that position to argue that Tinubu had demonstrated genuine political friendship towards Rivers State through federal government projects and appointments.
He maintained that the president’s relationship with the state should not be judged merely by political declarations but by the opportunities and interventions extended to its people.
The FCT minister’s argument was essentially that Rivers residents should recognise the federal government’s contributions when deciding which political direction to follow in 2027.
However, his criticism of Amaechi went beyond the former governor’s relationship with the ADC.
Wike also questioned the handling of certain projects undertaken during Amaechi’s administration, particularly the proposed Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital.
He alleged that about $39 million was spent on the project and challenged the former governor to explain what happened to the money.
The minister questioned the outcome of the hospital initiative, demanding clarity on the expenditure and the level of development achieved.
Although he did not present additional documentation during his remarks to substantiate the allegation, Wike insisted that Amaechi should account for the project.
He also brought up another issue from the former governor’s time in office, this time focusing on a fumigation exercise reportedly carried out across Rivers State.
In a mocking reference to the programme, Wike questioned whether the exercise had effectively dealt with the mosquito problem, using the subject to ridicule what he considered questionable claims about the achievements of the previous administration.
The minister further recalled Amaechi’s involvement in the APC’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019.
During the two election cycles, Amaechi served as Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign organisation, occupying a strategic position in its efforts to secure votes nationwide.
Wike, however, argued that the former governor’s influential campaign role did not translate into impressive electoral results for the APC in Rivers State.
He alleged that the party failed to obtain even 15 per cent of the votes cast in the state during the two elections.
By revisiting those contests, Wike sought to challenge the perception of Amaechi as a political figure capable of independently determining the direction of Rivers voters.
The exchange is another indication of the continuing political disagreements between the two former governors, whose relationship has changed considerably over the years.
Both men have maintained significant political influence in Rivers State, making their positions particularly relevant as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
Wike’s latest comments also underline his determination to mobilise support for Tinubu in Rivers, while dismissing the possibility that Amaechi and the ADC could easily secure the state’s backing.
With the next general elections approaching, the competition for political loyalty in Rivers is expected to intensify, especially as influential politicians seek to strengthen their respective camps.
Ultimately, the strength of the competing political groups will be determined by their ability to win the confidence of voters when the 2027 elections arrive.160-character SEO snippet:
Wike questions Amaechi’s political influence, dismisses ADC’s chances in Rivers and demands explanations over the alleged $39m specialist hospital project.
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