- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, has talked down the chances of the 2027 African Democratic Congress Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, winning the election with former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Wike labelled the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as dead-on-arrival, stressing that Amaechi cannot secure votes for the former Vice President in the South-South.
‘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 said.
Wike recalled defeating Amaechi in Rivers elections, adding that the ex-governor had never won any election since 2001.
‘He was a governor and couldn’t put a governor. I defeated him very well. He was never won any election since after 2011 when I was the DG of the campaign.
‘He was the DG to Buhari in 2015 and he was governor. Buhari did not get 25 percent. He was the DG in 2019 when he was Minister, Buhari did not get 25 percent. He supported Atiku in 2023, Atiku did not get 15 percent.’ He said.
While acknowledging Amaechi as an asset in the south-south, Wike however maintained that ability to sustain followers and impact lives determines the relevance of such asset in the political space.
Wike questioned Amaechi’s contribution to Rivers and the South-South region during his time as the Minister of Transportation.
‘Now let me tell why he is an asset to Rivers State and South-South. The mere fact that you are a former governor makes him an asset. You must be a former governor that still has the followers.
‘You were here when he was a minister. What did you bring to the table to the people of your state. As a minister, what did you government do that we can say impacted lives of the people.
‘It is not about that I was former this and former that. In the South-South, which state will he have impact.’ He said.