The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the 2027 presidential election would be severely weakened if he chooses Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike argued that Amaechi would not deliver votes for Atiku. “Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku… it will be difficult for Atiku to be president. If it’s in terms of bringing votes to support Atiku, he is dead on arrival,” Wike said.

He recalled Amaechi’s past roles as Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019, noting that Buhari failed to secure 25 percent of votes in Rivers State on both occasions. Wike also referenced his own political battles with Amaechi, stressing that the former governor had not won an election since 2011.

The Minister dismissed claims that Amaechi remains an asset to Rivers State or the Niger Delta, questioning his impact as a former governor and minister. “You must say when you were a minister what did you bring to the people of your state? As a minister, what did your government do to impact the lives of Rivers people?” Wike asked.

He further criticized Amaechi for previously condemning alleged irregularities in the ADC primary, only to now benefit from the same process.

Wike’s remarks add to the growing debate over Atiku’s political strategy ahead of the 2027 election, particularly the choice of a running mate capable of strengthening his appeal across regions.

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