The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State is already guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, describing the remarks as evidence of growing concern over the opposition’s rising influence.
Wike, speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed the political relevance of former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, insisting that Rivers would stand firmly behind Tinubu in the next general election.
According to the minister, those expecting the opposition to secure Rivers State should abandon such expectations, arguing that Amaechi no longer possesses the electoral strength to determine political outcomes in the state.
He maintained that despite occupying influential political positions over the years, Amaechi had failed to translate his prominence into significant electoral victories and said the political structure in Rivers remained under his control and committed to Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike also revisited the circumstances surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 election, accusing Amaechi of playing a major role in Jonathan’s removal from office before allegedly losing his own political influence in Rivers.
According to Wike, Rivers would again line up behind Tinubu in 2027.
“If anybody is counting Rivers, go now and cancel it. The only person that can count Rivers is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am not talking because I want to talk; I am talking as a political realist, because I know my people,” he said.
The FCT minister further questioned the rationale behind Amaechi’s selection as the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar, suggesting financial considerations may have influenced the decision rather than 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 has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. 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.
Addressing the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, Wike declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s ambition to secure a second term had effectively come to an end.
He blamed the governor for his political troubles, arguing that Fubara ignored repeated warnings against dismantling the political structure that facilitated his emergence as governor.
According to Wike, individuals who initially opposed Fubara’s governorship later infiltrated his camp and encouraged him to challenge those who supported his rise to power.
“Those who didn’t want you to be governor now became your friends. Obviously, they will destroy you, thinking that coming closer to you is to fight us.
“At the end of the fight, I have not lost anything. What have I lost? Nothing. But you have lost. You intended to go for a second term, is it not correct? And you are not going,” Wike said.
Despite their political differences, the minister insisted he still cared about Fubara.
“If I don’t love him, why would we support him?” he said.
Wike disclosed that reconciliation efforts had at one point appeared successful but ultimately collapsed because of political interests.
“There was a time we all thought, we all agreed, and said, ‘Look, can we allow bygones to be bygones?’ But something fundamental came up in politics.
“They said, ‘Look, if you allow this now, there are those who are here who want to see that we are no longer politically relevant,’” he said.
He also alleged that outside interests viewed Rivers State as “a cash cow” and influenced Fubara to oppose his political camp.
“There are external forces who want to hijack Rivers State. You don’t allow them to hijack Rivers State. Some see Rivers State as a cash cow,” he said.
The political conflict between Wike and Fubara began shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023. It later escalated into a six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
Following the crisis, Fubara defected to the All Progressives Congress, withdrew from the 2026 governorship race and later reunited with Wike’s political camp, the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike also renewed his criticism of Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, accusing him of living in a Maitama residence allegedly funded with Rivers State Government money.
“I want to tell you something about Bode George. When they talk about corruption, ask him: the house he is living in, Maitama, is it not Rivers State government money? People like you are the fathers of corruption,” Wike said.
The minister faulted George for accusing the judiciary of corruption whenever court rulings were unfavourable.
“Each time you lose a case, the judiciary is corrupt. Until when you win, that’s only when the judiciary is not corrupt,” he added.
George recently petitioned the National Judicial Council over the July 17 judgment of the Federal High Court, which dismissed a suit filed by the Adolphus Wabara-led PDP Board of Trustees faction and awarded N140 million in costs against the plaintiffs.
According to Wike, differing court judgments should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of judicial corruption, urging politicians to carefully study court decisions before criticising judges.
The minister also criticised the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over his repeated remarks about the Tinubu administration.
He said religious leaders should remain balanced in their public interventions and avoid giving the impression of political bias.
“I am not against comments about government. Government needs criticism. But if your comments are always nothing positive, then government must worry about you.
“Government will begin to think that you are merely criticising because you’re opposed to the government,” he said.
Wike also argued that many clerics openly aligned with political interests during the 2023 elections.
“Don’t tell me non-partisans. We know ourselves in this country. We know who belongs to where,” he stated.
On security within the Federal Capital Territory, Wike revealed that authorities were considering restrictions on commercial motorcycles and tricycles in parts of Abuja following intelligence reports linking them to criminal activities.
He said the FCT Security Council had recommended the measure and directed security agencies to identify areas where the restrictions should be enforced.
“Beyond constituting a nuisance, they have become a security threat.
“From our security reports, bandits, when they don’t act, they use motorcycles,” he said.
However, he ruled out a total ban across the territory, saying Abuja’s size and transport needs made such a move impractical.
The minister also lamented the continued return of beggars to the nation’s capital despite repeated evacuation exercises.
Responding to Wike’s comments, the ADC said the minister’s repeated attacks on Amaechi reflected unease over the opposition’s growing acceptance rather than political confidence.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Rivers State ADC Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, dismissed Wike’s assertion that the 2027 election in Rivers had already been decided.
Enyi argued that Wike was making unsuccessful attempts to diminish Amaechi’s political standing in Rivers State and across Nigeria.
“The attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State chapter, has been drawn to the latest media outburst by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in which he launched yet another barrage of attacks against the leader of our party, His Excellency Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while desperately attempting to convince Rivers people that the 2027 election is already settled.
“Ordinarily, we would not dignify such comments with a response. However, it is necessary to set the record straight.
“It is ironic that a man who has repeatedly claimed that the opposition poses no threat has continued to devote so much time and energy attacking the very people he says have no electoral value.
“Such contradictions betray anxiety rather than confidence,” the statement read.
The party maintained that Amaechi’s political legacy could not be erased by public criticism.
“Chief Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history will not erase the undeniable fact that Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi remains one of the most consequential political leaders to emerge from Rivers State.
“His (Amaechi’s) record in governance, public service, and national leadership speaks for itself and does not require validation from those who measure politics solely by personal loyalty and political convenience.
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“The minister’s repeated references to previous elections conveniently ignore the reality that elections are determined by the Nigerian people under prevailing political circumstances. Every election is unique, and 2027 will be no exception.”
The ADC said Rivers residents were more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and citizens’ welfare than political feuds.
“They are concerned about the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the growing hardship across the country. These are the issues that deserve the attention of public officeholders.
“It is also curious that the minister now seeks to present himself as the sole custodian of Rivers State’s political destiny.
“Rivers State belongs to its people, not to any individual. No one possesses the exclusive right to determine how Rivers people will vote.
“The ADC remains focused on offering credible leadership, responsible governance, and practical solutions to the challenges confronting our state and nation,” the statement added.
Enyi stressed that the party would continue presenting its programmes and engaging voters instead of trading insults with political opponents.
“As for the boast that only one political party can win Rivers State, democracy is decided by the electorate, not by media declarations. The people will have the final say in 2027.
“We, therefore, advise Chief Wike to concentrate on the enormous responsibilities of administering the Federal Capital Territory and allow Rivers people the freedom to make their democratic choices without intimidation, propaganda, or political grandstanding.
“The ADC remains confident that truth, performance, and the will of the people will ultimately prevail,” Enyi added.