Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that the ex-Rivers governor has become a political liability with no electoral value in Rivers State or the South-South.
Wike, who spoke during a media chat in Abuja, dismissed speculations linking Amaechi to a possible vice-presidential ticket, insisting that the former minister lacks the political weight to deliver votes in any national election.
According to him, if Amaechi is being considered as a running mate, it can only be for reasons other than electoral strength.
“If you are choosing a vice-presidential candidate, the only factor that may have been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi may be financial because he lacks the capacity to deliver votes,” Wike said.
The FCT minister backed his claim with the outcome of previous presidential elections, arguing that Amaechi failed to secure impressive results for candidates he supported despite serving as campaign director-general and occupying influential positions in government.
“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. He was Buhari’s Director-General in 2015 when he was governor; why didn’t Buhari get 25 per cent? He was DG again in 2019 as a super minister; why didn’t Buhari get 25 per cent? He supported Atiku in 2023; how come he didn’t get 15 per cent?” Wike queried.
He challenged Amaechi to point to landmark projects or benefits he attracted to Rivers State and the South-South while serving in the Federal Government, insisting that a true political heavyweight should have enduring grassroots support and tangible achievements.
Wike also accused the former transportation minister of double standards, recalling that Amaechi had criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary as riddled with irregularities and corruption before allegedly embracing the same political process.
“The same man said the APC primary was manual, irregular and corrupt. Now he is benefiting from the same process he condemned. How can you say there was no election and still participate in another election?” he asked.
The minister further argued that Amaechi’s opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015, as well as his perceived role in the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, would count against him politically in the South-South.
“A South-South son wanted a second term and you were proud you helped remove him. Do you think the people of the South-South have forgotten?” Wike said.
Highlighting the current administration’s performance, Wike maintained that Rivers State has received unprecedented federal attention under President Bola Tinubu’s government, citing major infrastructure projects, including the Bonny Road, as evidence of renewed commitment to the state’s development.
