FCT minister says former Rivers governor lacks electoral strength, challenges claims of political relevance in the South-South region…….
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a politician with limited electoral influence, arguing that he lacks the support base required to deliver significant votes in Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he questioned the political calculations behind reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was considering Amaechi as a possible running mate.
The FCT minister suggested that factors other than electoral strength may have influenced such considerations, insisting that Amaechi’s past election records do not demonstrate the ability to mobilise substantial voter support.
“If you are choosing a vice-presidential candidate, a running mate, I am sure the only factor that has been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi may be financial because the former governor lacks the capacity to deliver votes,” Wike said.
Backing his argument with past election outcomes, Wike recalled Amaechi’s roles in previous presidential campaigns and questioned why those positions did not translate into stronger electoral performances in Rivers State.
He cited Amaechi’s role as Director-General of the campaign organisation of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019, as well as his support for Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, asking why the expected electoral gains did not materialise.
Wike said a true political asset should be a leader who maintains strong grassroots support after leaving office and can point to measurable achievements delivered to the people during his time in public service.
He challenged Amaechi to highlight the specific benefits his years in government brought to Rivers State and the South-South region.
The FCT minister also accused the former transportation minister of inconsistency over his criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary process.
According to Wike, Amaechi had previously described the APC primary as flawed and irregular but later became involved in the same political structure.
He questioned how opposition figures could campaign against a government they criticised over electoral processes while simultaneously participating in the same system they condemned.
Wike further argued that Amaechi’s past political decisions could affect his acceptance in the South-South, particularly his opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election and his alleged role in events surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen.
The FCT minister said voters in the region would remember past political choices and consider them when assessing future ambitions.
He asked whether the South-South electorate would support a leader who opposed the presidential ambition of another person from the region.
Wike also contrasted his assessment of Amaechi’s political record with his own administration’s achievements while serving as governor of Rivers State.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Bonny Road project, and argued that Rivers State has received unprecedented federal attention under the current administration.
According to him, no administration in the state since 1999 has secured the level of federal focus and development opportunities currently being witnessed.
