The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed a claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by noon on election day in the 2027 elections.
Rivers State ADC Chairman, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made the position known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, describing Wike’s prediction as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the election.
Dimkpa said the 2027 election would be determined by voters rather than political boasts or declarations by influential politicians.
“Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike will declare the winner”, he said.
The ADC chairman also criticised Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, over a civic reception held in Omagwa on Saturday in honour of the FCT minister.
According to Dimkpa, the event took place along the route to Ubima, where Amaechi was burying his mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, and alleged that the gathering caused traffic obstruction while also becoming an avenue for political attacks against the former governor.
“On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima, his hometown to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (Charles Wobodo) chose that same route and occasion for a political reception, obstructing part of the road, creating unnecessary traffic and then turning the event into a platform for attacking and taunting a man who was mourning his mother.
It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing”, Dimkpa stated.
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He said political differences should not override basic human considerations, particularly during a period of mourning.
“if Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry.”
Dimkpa explained that the ADC deliberately refrained from responding to the alleged provocation at the time because its priority was ensuring a befitting burial for Amaechi’s mother.
“We refused to dignify the provocation with a response that is because our attention was on giving Mama (Dame Ezinne Amaechi) a befitting burial..
“But Wike should understand that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon”.
The ADC chairman urged Rivers residents to remain undaunted by political pressure and participate actively in the 2027 election, stressing the importance of choosing a leader capable of improving their lives.