The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the emergence of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election, describing the ticket as lacking electoral value.
Speaking during a media parley on Tuesday, Wike said Amaechi no longer commands the political influence needed to deliver Rivers State or the South-South region, insisting that his selection would not improve Atiku’s chances in the presidential race.
According to Wike, if Amaechi was chosen because of his ability to attract votes, the decision would not benefit the opposition.
“Rotimi Amaechi being the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, I have come to know that indeed, it would be difficult for Atiku to become president. If it is in terms of bringing votes to support him, it is dead on arrival,” he said.
The former Rivers governor suggested that financial considerations may have influenced Amaechi’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate rather than his electoral strength.
Wike also revisited their political rivalry in Rivers State, arguing that Amaechi had failed to secure electoral victories despite occupying key political positions.
He recalled that while he served as Minister of State and Amaechi was governor of Rivers State, the latter could not ensure the election of his preferred successor.
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“I was minister of state, he was governor, he couldn’t put a governor. I defeated him very well. He has not won any election since after 2011 when I was the director-general of a campaign,” Wike said.
The FCT minister further pointed to Amaechi’s role as Director-General of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019, noting that Buhari failed to secure up to 25 per cent of the votes in Rivers State in both elections.
He also cited the 2023 presidential election, where Amaechi supported Atiku, saying the former vice-president polled less than 15 per cent of the votes in Rivers.
According to Wike, these results show that Amaechi has not demonstrated the electoral capacity required to influence national elections.
Questioning Amaechi’s political relevance, Wike said holding public office in the past does not automatically make anyone an electoral asset.
“The fact you’re a former governor makes you an asset? You must be a former governor that still has followers,” he said.
He also challenged Amaechi’s record as a minister, asking what tangible impact his tenure had on Rivers State and its people.
“What did you bring to the table of your state? What did your government then do that has impacted the lives of Rivers people? It’s not about saying, ‘I was a former governor’ or ‘I was a former minister,'” Wike added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.