The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, cannot deliver Rivers State to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the statement on Friday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
He referred to past elections, arguing that despite Amaechi’s influence and position in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party did not achieve strong electoral success in Rivers State.
Wike recalled the 2015 and 2019 elections, noting that even when Amaechi served as Director-General of the presidential campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC still struggled in the state.
He maintained that despite what he described as “federal might,” he was able to win the governorship elections in Rivers State, insisting that the state does not easily follow such political influence.
According to him:
“Are we saying today, if an election is conducted in Rivers state today, that Rotimi Amaechi will deliver Rivers state to ADC?
“Remember, he was a governor. When I came to run as governor, he was in the APC. Who defeated him? And he was the DG of the campaign then.
“Remember, in 2019, when I was running for my second term, he was the minister of transportation and was the DG of Buhari’s campaign,” he said.
Wike also questioned the strength of the ADC at the national level, stating that its national chairman, former Senate President David Mark, cannot deliver Benue State.
He pointed out that in Benue, David Mark’s daughter won an election under the APC while he was still in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting weak political control in his home state.
