The political battle ahead of the 2027 presidential election has taken another dramatic turn after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that choosing former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as a running mate would weaken, rather than strengthen, Atiku Abubakar’s chances at the polls.
Speaking during a live radio interview in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike argued that Amaechi lacks the political influence needed to deliver Rivers State and the South-South region for Atiku in the next general election.
According to the FCT minister, Amaechi’s political record shows that he has struggled to convert his influence into electoral victories, making him a liability rather than an asset for any presidential ticket.
“Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus for Atiku Abubakar,” Wike stated.
He recalled that despite serving as governor of Rivers State, Amaechi was unable to produce a political successor. Wike also pointed to Amaechi’s role as Director-General of previous presidential campaigns, claiming the former minister failed to secure strong electoral results for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
Wike further argued that Amaechi would face an uphill task convincing South-South voters to support Atiku because of his involvement in the political events that led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.
According to him, many voters in the region have not forgotten that Amaechi openly acknowledged being among those who worked against Jonathan’s re-election bid.
“He didn’t want a South-South person to complete his tenure as president. So what we will take is vice president,” Wike said while questioning the political appeal of such a ticket in the region.
With political alignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections, Wike’s remarks are expected to fuel fresh debates over potential alliances, regional voting patterns, and the strategies opposition parties may adopt in their bid to challenge the ruling party at the presidential poll.
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