Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the electoral strength of the Atiku Abubakar–Rotimi Amaechi ticket for the 2027 presidential election, describing it as “dead on arrival” in terms of vote delivery.
Wike made the remarks during a media chat in Port Harcourt in late July/early August 2026, portions of which have circulated widely, including a video clip shared by TheCable on August 4, 2026.
“Rotimi Amaechi being the running mate to Atiku Abubakar… I have come to know that it would be difficult for Atiku to become president. I’m sure the only factor that made him choose Amaechi may be financial. If it is in terms of bringing votes to support him, it is dead on arrival,” Wike said.
The minister argued that Amaechi lacks the political influence required to secure key votes, particularly in Rivers State and the South-South region.
He cited Amaechi’s track record as governor of Rivers State, noting that he did not successfully produce a political successor. Wike also referenced Amaechi’s role as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign and later as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that he was unable to secure 25 percent of votes for Buhari in Rivers State during elections.
Wike further pointed to Amaechi’s past comments on the 2015 election, where he acknowledged contributing to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan, a South-South indigene. According to Wike, this history complicates efforts to market the ticket in the region.
“He didn’t want a South-South person to complete his tenure as president… The South-South lost that position. Now they are giving you vice president to replace the president that we lost,” he said.
He concluded that the pairing offers no electoral advantage to Atiku. “It is not a plus,” Wike added.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had in June 2026 named Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, as running mate to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku emerged as the party’s flag bearer in May 2026 after defeating Amaechi and other contenders at the primary. The party described the ticket as a “unity and rescue” platform, highlighting Amaechi’s political experience and regional base.
The development marks a notable alliance between two long-standing political figures with intersecting histories in Rivers State and national politics.
Wike and Amaechi share a complex political relationship, having once worked closely when Wike served as Chief of Staff during Amaechi’s tenure as governor, before becoming political rivals.
Wike, who was runner-up in the 2022 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary and later aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, remains an influential voice in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
His latest comments underscore intensifying political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with regional dynamics and personal rivalries continuing to shape alignments across party lines.
