- Safiu Kehinde
The former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has reacted to claims by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as the running mate of the 2027 African Democratic Congress Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
NPO Reported that Wike had, during his monthly media parley on Tuesday, talked down chances of Atiku winning the 2027 Presidential Election with Amaechi as his running mate.
The FCT Minister labelled the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as dead-on-arrival, stressing that Amaechi cannot secure votes for the former Vice President in the South-South.
He claimed that the former Minister of Transportation was selected by Atiku for financial support and not for votes.
‘I have come to know that indeed, it will be difficult for Atiku to become President. If you are choosing a running mate, I’m sure the only factor that made him choose Amaechi, I’m sure, may be financial.
‘If it is because if it is in terms of bringing vote to support him, it is dead on arrival.’ He had said.
Wike recalled defeating Amaechi in Rivers elections, adding that the ex-governor had never won any election since 2011.
Reacting during in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme, Amaechi labelled Wike his subordinate who does not deserve his response.
He however refuted the FCT Minister’s claim of being picked by Atiku for financial support.
‘Do I look like somebody who has money?
‘I have told you several times, I don’t respond to my subordinate. He never hired me.’ He said.
Amaechi vowed to reply every criticism against him at the end of the mourning period for his late mother.
‘By the time we finish with mourning and go into campaign, anybody that insult me, I will insult them back. I’m not ready now.’ The ex-Rivers governor said.