Wike Says Amaechi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition Is Dead on Arrival

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the 2027 presidential ambition of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is “dead on arrival,” insisting that Amaechi would be the last person considered for his party’s ticket.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television monitored in Abuja on Tuesday night, Wike also claimed that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, is upset with President Bola Tinubu for not being chosen as his running mate. According to Wike, Lawal personally visited him in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, alongside a former Speaker of the House of Representatives shortly after Tinubu announced his vice-presidential pick.

Ridiculing Amaechi’s recent assertion that he knows President Tinubu’s weaknesses and could defeat him, Wike recalled the former Rivers governor’s electoral losses. “The last person they will give a ticket to is Amaechi. That is dead on arrival. In 2014 and 2015, when he was governor, we defeated him. In 2019, when he was Minister and Director General of Buhari’s campaign, we also defeated him. Even in 2023, when he supported another candidate, he still lost. So how would he now claim the capacity to win?” Wike said.

He maintained that Amaechi’s track record in past elections shows he lacks the political strength to successfully pursue a presidential bid, even on a new party platform.

Wike also addressed the recent Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, advising him to focus on clearing his name instead of politicizing the matter.

On Lawal’s grievance, Wike said it was driven by the former SGF’s expectation to be selected as vice president. “What was his anger? His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as the vice presidential candidate. Having not done that, heaven would have to let loose. He wanted to become vice president; that is very obvious,” Wike said. He added, “Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs? There are ministers and advisers who represent him.”