Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, describing the alliance as “dead on arrival” ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a media parley on Tuesday, Wike argued that Amaechi no longer commands the political influence needed to deliver votes in Rivers State or across the South-South region. According to him, Atiku’s decision to pick Amaechi as his running mate may have been influenced by financial considerations rather than electoral strength.
“I have come to know that indeed, it would be difficult for Atiku to become president,” Wike said. “I’m sure the only factor that made him choose Amaechi may be financial. If it is in terms of bringing votes to support him, it is dead on arrival.”
The former Rivers State governor backed his position by referencing Amaechi’s performance in previous elections. Wike recalled that while Amaechi served as Rivers governor and he was Minister of State, Amaechi was unable to secure victory for his preferred governorship candidate.
He also claimed Amaechi had not won any election since 2011, when Wike served as director-general of a political campaign. According to Wike, Amaechi’s role as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019 did not translate into electoral success in Rivers State.
He noted that Buhari failed to secure up to 25 percent of votes in the state during both elections despite Amaechi’s leadership role. Wike further pointed to the 2023 presidential election, where Amaechi supported Atiku, claiming the former vice president failed to secure up to 15 percent of votes in Rivers State.
Wike questioned Amaechi’s continued political relevance, insisting that occupying high public offices alone does not make a politician an electoral asset. He argued that a former governor must still maintain grassroots support and political followers to remain influential. The FCT minister also challenged Amaechi’s record as Minister of Transportation, asking what lasting impact his tenure had on Rivers State.
According to Wike, political relevance should be measured by tangible contributions to the people rather than titles previously held. The remarks add another chapter to the long-running political rivalry between the two former Rivers governors as political alignments continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
