‘You Said You Don’t Need To Campaign, Rivers Won’t Vote For You’ – Wike Tells Amaechi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted that voters in Rivers State will reject the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general elections over remarks attributed to the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike made the prediction on Saturday at President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, where he reaffirmed Rivers State’s support for the president’s re-election bid.

The minister alleged that Amaechi had boasted that he was popular enough not to campaign in Rivers State, challenging the former governor to test his popularity at the polls.

Wike warned that Amaechi should not later blame electoral malpractice for any poor performance, insisting that the former governor’s alleged decision not to campaign would affect his electoral chances.

“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.

The FCT minister also recalled Amaechi’s previous comments on political brotherhood, in which the former Rivers governor reportedly described a brother as someone who identifies with others during difficult times.

Wike argued that Tinubu had demonstrated such solidarity with Rivers State through federal projects and political appointments, describing the president as a political brother of the state.

He also challenged Amaechi to account for projects undertaken during his tenure as Rivers governor, particularly the proposed Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital, for which he alleged that $39 million was spent.

Wike questioned the project’s implementation and challenged the former governor to explain what happened to the funds.

He further criticised Amaechi’s claim that Rivers State was fumigated during his administration, questioning whether the exercise had succeeded in eliminating mosquitoes.

The minister also recalled Amaechi’s role as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign during the 2015 and 2019 elections, alleging that the party failed to secure up to 15 per cent of the votes in Rivers State during both contests.

Wike’s remarks come amid political realignments and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties seeking to consolidate support across the country.