2027: Amaechi’s Presidential Ambition Dead on Arrival – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the possibility of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, securing a presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, describing his ambition as “dead on arrival.”

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday night, Wike mocked Amaechi’s recent claims that he could challenge and defeat President Bola Tinubu, insisting that Amaechi lacks the political strength to mount a credible bid.

“The last person they will give a ticket to is Amaechi. That is dead on arrival,” Wike said. “In 2014 and 2015, when he was governor, we defeated him. In 2019, when he was Minister and Director General of Buhari’s campaign, we also defeated him. Even in 2023, when he supported another candidate, he still lost. So how would he now claim the capacity to win?”

Wike argued that Amaechi’s track record in previous elections makes him an unlikely contender, even if he sought the nomination under a different party.

The minister also took aim at former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, alleging that his current discontent with President Tinubu stems from not being picked as vice presidential candidate in 2023.

“What was his anger? His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as the vice presidential candidate. Having not done that, heaven would have to let loose. He wanted to become vice president; that is very obvious,” Wike claimed.

He further alleged that Lawal had visited him in Port Harcourt alongside a former Speaker of the House of Representatives shortly after Tinubu named his running mate.

On other political issues, Wike advised former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and clear his name, rather than politicize his invitation by the anti-graft agency.

“Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs? There are ministers and advisers who represent him,” Wike added, pushing back on criticisms regarding access to the presidency.