Wike, ADC Clash Over Amaechi’s Political Value In Rivers

By IGHO OYOYO, Abuja and Anayo Onukwugha ,Port Harcourt

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State disagreed yesterday over the political value of the ADC presidential candidate, Chibuike Amaechi’s political value in Rivers State.

Speaking yesterday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike, the former Rivers State governor dismissed Amaechi as a politician without electoral value.

Reacting, the ADC Chairman in Rivers State, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, said Wike’s attack on Amaechi, revealed fear of a growing opposition in the country.

Amaechi, a former minister of Transportation, was Wike’s predecessor as governor in Rivers State.

The minister also launched a scathing attack on Amaechi, describing reports linking the former Rivers governor to a possible vice-presidential slot as politically unrealistic.

According to Wike, Amaechi lacks the electoral strength to attract votes either in Rivers State or across the South-South.

“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,” he said.

Wike argued that Amaechi had consistently failed to deliver electoral victories despite occupying strategic political positions, recalling that he served as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019 and later supported former Vice President Atiku Abubakar 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.

He further challenged Amaechi to identify major federal projects he attracted to Rivers State during his tenure as Minister of Transportation, arguing that public office holders should be judged by tangible achievements.

The FCT minister also accused Amaechi of political inconsistency, alleging that he had previously criticised the APC presidential primary process as corrupt but later embraced the same system for political advantage.

Reacting however, ADC chairman, Dimkpa, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, insisted that the recent attack on Amaechi by the minister was a desperate attempt to convince Rivers people that the 2027 election is already settled.

He stated that Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history will not erase the undeniable fact that the former minister 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.