The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as a “political liability”, claiming he lacks the electoral strength to deliver votes in Rivers and the South-South at large.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during his monthly media chat in Abuja while reacting to reports linking Amaechi with a possible vice-presidential slot ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to the FCT minister, if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar chooses Amaechi as his running mate, the decision would not be based on electoral value.
ALSO READ: US speeds up asylum cases with new rule impacting Nigerians
“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 translate his political influence into electoral victories despite occupying strategic positions in previous election campaigns.
“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. Never. He was the Director-General of Buhari 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 asked.
The minister said a true political asset should be able to command a loyal support base and point to tangible benefits attracted to his state while serving in public office.
He challenged Amaechi to identify projects or other federal interventions he attracted to Rivers State and the South-South during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.
Wike also accused the former minister of political inconsistency, alleging that Amaechi had criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary process before later participating in the same system.
“This was the same man, just one month ago, who said the APC primary is manual, irregularity and corruption.
“How can we talk about removing a government that we are saying there is no election, and then we are in another election?
“The same man now is benefiting from the corruption, from irregularities of the same system,” he said.
The FCT minister further argued that Amaechi would struggle to gain acceptance in the South-South because of his opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015 and his alleged role in events surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
“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 said.
Highlighting his administration’s record in Rivers State, Wike said the state had received more federal attention under the current administration than at any time since 1999, citing the Bonny Road project among major infrastructure initiatives.
“Never in the history of Rivers State, from 1999, of those who claimed to be very close to the President, have we had the type of attention that Rivers State has now?” he said.