THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the 2027 presidential bid of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing it as “dead on arrival.”
Speaking in an interview today, Wike argued that Nigerians would not back Amaechi at the polls, questioning both his integrity and record in governance.
Amaechi, who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025 to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is seeking the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
He had previously contested the APC’s 2022 primary, finishing second to President Bola Tinubu.
But Wike, who succeeded Amaechi as Rivers State governor in 2015 after his eight-year tenure, insisted his predecessor stood no chance.
“He knows he won’t get the ticket. He claimed he understands the weaknesses of the president and can defeat him, yet he knew those same weaknesses in 2022 when Tinubu defeated him resoundingly.
Nigerians know his ambition is already dead on arrival,” Wike said.
The FCT minister further accused Amaechi of lacking respect for the rule of law during his time as governor, adding that such a record disqualifies him from presenting himself as a credible alternative for Nigerians.
Amaechi, now positioned in the opposition ADC coalition, has positioned himself as a challenger to President Tinubu’s government.
However, Wike—currently the only opposition figure in Tinubu’s cabinet as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member—dismissed the move as futile, insisting Nigerians would not entrust him with power.
The long-standing rivalry between the two former Rivers governors continues to shape political debates ahead of the 2027 polls.