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 South-South.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike questioned reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was considering Amaechi as a running mate.
“If you are choosing a Vice Presidential candidate, a running mate, I’m 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.
He argued that Amaechi had failed to deliver electoral victories despite occupying key political positions.
“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. He was the DG of Buhari in 2015 when he was governor; why did he not get 25%? He was the DG in 2019 when he was a Super Minister; why did he not get 25%? He supported Atiku in 2023; how come he didn’t get 15%?” he queried.
Wike also accused Amaechi of political inconsistency, saying the former minister criticised the APC primary process only to later embrace it. “The same man now is benefiting from the corruption, from irregularities of the same system,” he said.
He further argued that the South-South would reject Amaechi’s vice-presidential ambition, citing his opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
“A South-South person wanted to go for a second term. You were proud you kicked him out. Now, will South-South be happy for you to be Vice President? You think that people have forgotten?” Wike asked.
The FCT minister added that Rivers State has received unprecedented federal attention under the current administration, pointing to projects such as the Bonny Road as evidence.
