Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has said Rivers State will not back the African Democratic Congress, or ADC, in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that remarks by the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, have alienated voters in the state.
Wike challenges Amaechi’s confidence
Speaking on Saturday at President Bola Tinubu’s campaign rally in Rivers State, Wike said Amaechi had suggested that his popularity meant he did not need to campaign. The minister said Rivers residents would use the 2027 vote to test that claim.
- Wike said he had heard Amaechi speaking on News Central and dismissing concerns over rival campaign activity.
- He said Amaechi had portrayed daily campaigning as evidence that opponents were anxious.
- According to Wike, the ADC running mate said he was sufficiently popular that campaigning was unnecessary.
“Your Excellency, yesterday I overheard somebody on News Central, who was ranting that we are worried and that’s why we are campaigning every day, that he does not get worried because he is very popular and he doesn’t need to campaign,” Wike said.
Warning against election-rigging allegations
The FCT minister said Amaechi’s position should be formally noted, warning that the ADC candidate should not later allege electoral manipulation if the party loses in Rivers State.
“So, 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 said.
Wike pledges Rivers support for Tinubu
Wike assured Tinubu that Rivers voters would support his re-election bid, framing the contest around the idea of political solidarity rather than family ties.
He referred to comments made by Amaechi during the 2023 election cycle, when the ADC vice-presidential candidate described a brother as someone who stands with a person during hardship and said political brotherhood was not based on blood relations.
- Wike recalled Amaechi’s definition of brotherhood in politics.
- He said the relevant question was now who Rivers people should regard as their political brother.
- He answered that Tinubu filled that role because, in his view, the president has stood with Rivers State residents.
“Remember in 2023, that the same vice-presidential candidate defined who your brother is and said, ‘your brother is a man who identifies with you when you are in trouble,’ and he said brotherhood in politics has nothing to do with blood relationship. Now, who is our brother now? So our brother is Bola Tinubu because he identifies with the people of Rivers State,” Wike said.
