The political battle ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election is taking a sharper turn in Rivers State, with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike declaring that the state will not support his former political ally, Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday, Wike said Rivers voters would choose President Bola Tinubu over Amaechi, who is the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate.
Wike based his argument on Amaechi’s political stance during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
He recalled that Amaechi supported Muhammadu Buhari against Goodluck Jonathan and argued at the time that political “brotherhood” was about identifying with the interests and problems of the people.
Wike said Amaechi’s own definition would now be used against him in the 2027 contest.
According to the minister, Tinubu has shown greater political commitment to Rivers State, while Amaechi failed to deliver enough benefits to the state during his time as Transportation Minister.
Wike particularly criticised the location of the University of Transportation, which he said was taken to Daura, Katsina State, instead of Rivers.
He suggested that Amaechi’s decision was partly driven by political calculations but questioned whether it ultimately produced the presidential ambition he was pursuing.
Wike also pointed to developments under Tinubu’s administration as evidence of what he described as a stronger relationship between the President and Rivers State.
He mentioned the emergence of Rivers indigenes as Vice Chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt and the newly established University of Environment.
According to Wike, Amaechi had denied Rivers the latter institution during his tenure.
The minister therefore said Rivers people should adopt Tinubu as their political “brother” and vote for him rather than Amaechi in 2027.
“Amaechi said Jonathan never cared for us and that Buhari was our brother because he would identify with us,” Wike recalled.
“If that’s the case, he now wants to run for Vice President.”
Wike’s remarks add another dimension to the political rivalry surrounding the 2027 election, particularly in Rivers State, where both men have played major roles in the state’s political history.
His comments represent his political position on the contest, while the eventual voting decision will be determined by Rivers electorate at the polls.
