Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the choice of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate would not improve Atiku Abubakar’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike argued that Amaechi lacks the electoral influence needed to deliver significant votes for the ADC ticket.

According to the minister, if Atiku is relying on Amaechi to boost his electoral prospects, the strategy is unlikely to succeed.

“Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku, I have come to know that 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.

Wike also questioned Amaechi’s electoral record, recalling that he served as Director-General of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019. He claimed Buhari failed to secure 25 per cent of the votes in Rivers State in both elections despite Amaechi’s role.

The FCT minister further dismissed suggestions that Amaechi remains a major political asset in Rivers State and the South-South region, arguing that political leaders should be judged by their achievements and continued grassroots support.

He also accused Amaechi of contradicting himself by accepting the ADC vice-presidential nomination after previously criticising the party’s primary process as being marred by irregularities and corruption.

Wike maintained that such a move undermines Amaechi’s earlier position and raises questions about his credibility within the opposition coalition.