The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a political liability who no longer has the electoral strength to influence elections in Rivers State or the South-South region.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike questioned Amaechi’s political relevance ahead of the 2027 general election, especially amid reports linking the former Rivers governor to a possible vice-presidential slot.
According to Wike, Amaechi no longer possesses the political influence needed to deliver votes, suggesting that if he is considered for any major political position, it would not be because of his electoral value.
“If you are choosing a Vice Presidential candidate, a running mate, I’m sure the only factor that has been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi may be financial because the former governor lacks the capacity to deliver votes,” Wike said.
The FCT minister argued that Amaechi’s political influence has continued to decline over the years, recalling that despite serving as Director-General of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019, and later supporting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, he failed to secure convincing victories for the candidates he backed in Rivers State.
“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. Never!” Wike declared.
He maintained that a true political leader should be able to demonstrate lasting grassroots support and point to tangible achievements that benefited the people of Rivers State and the South-South region.
Wike challenged Amaechi to explain the impact of his years in public office and identify projects or policies that directly improved the lives of people in the region.
The minister also accused Amaechi of inconsistency over the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, alleging that he once criticised the party’s primary process as irregular and corrupt but later accepted its outcome when it favoured him.
“The same man now is benefiting from the corruption, from irregularities of the same system,” Wike said.
He further criticised Amaechi’s political decisions, including his opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 and his alleged involvement in the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Wike questioned whether voters in the South-South would support Amaechi’s future political ambitions considering those past actions.
He also pointed to projects such as the Bonny Road as evidence that Rivers State has enjoyed greater federal attention under the current administration than in previous years.
According to the FCT minister, claims that past political alliances benefited Rivers State do not reflect the reality on the ground, insisting that the state is currently receiving unprecedented federal support.
