The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the chances of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, delivering Rivers State to the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Friday, also expressed doubts over the ability of former Senate President, David Mark, to secure Benue State for the same party.
The FCT minister based his position on past electoral outcomes, arguing that Amaechi had previously failed to lead the All Progressives Congress to victory in Rivers State despite holding influential positions at the federal level.
He recalled the 2015 and 2019 elections, noting that even when Amaechi served as Director-General of the presidential campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC did not achieve electoral success in the state.
Wike maintained that the political structure in Rivers has consistently resisted what he described as external influence, insisting that past experiences do not support claims that Amaechi can deliver the state to another party.
“Are we saying today that if an election is conducted in Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi will deliver the state to the ADC?” he queried.
“Remember, he was a governor. When I contested, he was in the APC. Who defeated him? At that time, he was also the Director-General of the campaign,” Wike said.
He added, “In 2019, when I sought re-election, he was the Minister of Transportation and still the DG of Buhari’s campaign, yet the outcome did not favour his party in Rivers.”
The minister insisted that political realities in Rivers State have remained consistent over the years, adding that claims of a possible takeover by opposition figures ahead of 2027 should be viewed with caution.