By Ayox Ojo
The African Democratic Congress, ADC has faulted claim by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that its vice presidential candidate, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has no political value in Rivers State.
The Rivers State chapter of ADC said this in reaction to claim by Wike that the former Minister of Transport has no electoral value in Rivers State during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday.
Wike made the claim while reacting to the emergence of Amaechi, who was his predecessor as River’s governor, as the running mate to the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar
“If you are choosing a vice-presidential candidate, the only factor that may have been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi may be financial because the former governor lacks the capacity to deliver votes,” Wike said.
While backing up his assertions, the FCT Minister noted that as the Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019, Amaechi failed to deliver Rivers State for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He added that the same scenario was repeated when the former Minister supported Atiku as the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023.
“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was Director of Campaign. He was Buhari’s DG in 2015 when he was governor, yet they didn’t secure 25 per cent in Rivers. In 2019, he was still DG and a super minister but couldn’t achieve it. In 2023, he supported Atiku, and they still couldn’t get 15 per cent,” Wike stated.
Wike also claimed that as Minister, Amaechi failed to attract any major federal projects to Rivers State.
But Rivers ADC Chairman, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, faulted the claim of the Minister in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Dimkpa said the claims by Wike were desperate attempt to convince Rivers people that the 2027 election is already settled.
Contrary to the assertion of the FCT Minister, the ADC chairman said Amaechi remains one of the most consequential political leaders to emerge from the state.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State Chapter, has been drawn to the latest media outburst by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in which he launched yet another barrage of attacks against the leader of our party, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while desperately attempting to convince Rivers people that the 2027 election is already settled.
“Ordinarily, we would not dignify such comments with a response. However, it is necessary to set the records straight.
“It is ironic that a man who has repeatedly claimed that the opposition poses no threat has continued to devote so much time and energy attacking the very people he says have no electoral value. Such contradictions betray anxiety rather than confidence.
“Chief Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history will not erase the undeniable fact that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi remains one of the most consequential political leaders to emerge from Rivers State. His record in governance, public service, and national leadership speaks for itself and does not require validation from those who measure politics solely by personal loyalty and political convenience.
“The minister’s repeated references to previous elections conveniently ignore the reality that elections are determined by the Nigerian people under prevailing political circumstances. Every election is unique, and 2027 will be no exception.
“More importantly, Rivers people are not interested in endless political quarrels or personality clashes. They are concerned about the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the growing hardship across the country. These are the issues that deserve the attention of public office holders.
“It is also curious that the Minister now seeks to present himself as the sole custodian of Rivers State’s political destiny. Rivers State belongs to its people, not to any individual. No one possesses the exclusive right to determine how Rivers’ people will vote.
“The ADC remains focused on offering credible leadership, responsible governance, and practical solutions to the challenges confronting our state and nation. We will continue to engage Rivers people with our vision and programmes rather than descend into unnecessary exchanges of insults.
“As for the boast that only one political party can win Rivers State, democracy is decided by the electorate, not by media declarations. The people will have the final say in 2027.
“We therefore advise Chief Wike to concentrate on the enormous responsibilities of administering the Federal Capital Territory and allow Rivers people the freedom to make their democratic choices without intimidation, propaganda, or political grandstanding,” the party said.
