Amaechi a Political Liability with Zero Electoral Value in Rivers — Wike

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a “political liability” with no electoral value in Rivers State or the wider South-South region.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike questioned why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would consider Amaechi as a running mate, suggesting that such a decision could only be driven by financial considerations rather than electoral strength.

“If you are choosing a vice-presidential candidate, a running mate, I’m sure the only factor that may have been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi is financial because the former governor lacks the capacity to deliver votes,” Wike said.

Backing his claims with historical election data, Wike argued that Amaechi has failed to secure significant votes in Rivers State across multiple election cycles despite holding high-profile political positions.

“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. Never!

“He was the Director-General of Buhari’s campaign in 2015 when he was governor. Why did he not get 25 per cent?

“He was the DG in 2019 when he was a super minister. Why did he not get 25 per cent? He supported Atiku in 2023. How come he didn’t get 15 per cent?” Wike queried.

The FCT Minister said a true political asset is a former governor who retains a strong political following and can point to tangible achievements delivered to his state during his tenure in federal office.

He challenged Amaechi to identify the direct benefits his leadership brought to the people of Rivers State and the South-South region.

Wike further accused the former Transportation Minister of political inconsistency, noting that Amaechi had previously criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries as being marred by irregularities and corruption, only to later participate in and benefit from the same system.

“This was the same man who, just one month ago, said the APC primary was characterised by irregularities and corruption.

“How can we talk about removing a government while claiming there was no credible election, and then participate in another election?

“The same man is now benefiting from the corruption and irregularities of the same system,” he said.

Reiterating why he believes the South-South region would reject Amaechi’s national ambitions, Wike cited the former minister’s opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan—a fellow South-South indigene—during the 2015 presidential election, as well as his alleged role in the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

“A South-South man wanted to seek a second term. You were proud that you helped remove him. Now, will the South-South support you to become Vice President?

“Do you think people have forgotten?” Wike asked, adding that voters in the region would hold Amaechi accountable for those actions.

Contrasting his administration’s record with that of his predecessor, Wike highlighted major infrastructure projects in Rivers State, including the Bonny Road project, arguing that the state has received unprecedented federal attention under the current administration.

“Never in the history of Rivers State since 1999, despite those who claimed to be very close to the President, has the state received the level of attention it is receiving now,” Wike said.