Former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has resumed his attacks on his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, blaming him for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in 2015.
Wike said 2027 would be “payback time” for Amaechi over his role in Jonathan’s loss.
He described the former Minister of Transportation and vice presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chibuike as a political liability with no electoral value in Rivers State or the wider South-South geopolitical zone.
The Minister wondered why Amaechi emerged as a vice presidential candidate, concluding that the reaaon could only be financial rather than a reflection of electoral value.
“I am 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,” he said.
Citing Amaechi’s electoral record, Wike noted that the running mate of Atiku Abubakar had failed to deliver significant votes in Rivers across successive election cycles despite holding high-profile positions.
“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%?
“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.
He further pointed to Amaechi’s opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid as reasons the South-South region would reject his national ambitions.
“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.
