2027: Wike Turns Amaechi’s Argument Against Him, Rallies Rivers for Tinubu
The political battle for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 presidential election has taken a fresh turn, with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, invoking an old political argument attributed to former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi to make the case for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike, speaking at a civic reception held in his honour at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, urged Rivers people to judge presidential candidates by their relationship with the state and what their political influence has delivered to its people.
The former Rivers governor argued that Tinubu had demonstrated sufficient commitment to Rivers State to earn the political support of its people in 2027.
Wike recalled Amaechi’s argument during the Goodluck Jonathan era that political brotherhood should not necessarily be determined by blood, ethnicity or geographical origin, but by whether a leader identifies with the challenges and aspirations of the people.
He said Rivers voters should apply the same standard when deciding between Tinubu and other political forces seeking control of the state in the next presidential election.
According to Wike, Tinubu has identified with Rivers people, understood some of the challenges confronting the state and responded in ways that justify continued political support.
The FCT minister consequently declared that, using Amaechi’s own definition of political brotherhood, Tinubu should be regarded as a “brother” of Rivers people.
Wike also turned his attention to Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, challenging the former transportation minister to explain what his years in the Federal Government delivered directly to Rivers State.
He questioned why the Federal University of Transportation was established in Daura, Katsina State, during Amaechi’s period of influence at the Federal Ministry of Transportation rather than Rivers State.
The remarks effectively place Amaechi’s record in federal office at the centre of the emerging political contest for Rivers ahead of 2027.
Wike’s latest intervention also signals that the battle for Rivers may go beyond conventional party loyalties, with political leaders increasingly asking voters to assess candidates on perceived performance, appointments, projects and their relationship with the state.
The FCT minister has repeatedly demonstrated his determination to build a broad political coalition for Tinubu in Rivers despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Earlier in the week, Wike declared that he intends to deliver both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, describing himself as being in command of significant political structures in the two territories.
With Amaechi now on the ADC presidential ticket as vice-presidential candidate and Wike firmly mobilising for Tinubu, Rivers State is emerging as one of the major political battlegrounds to watch ahead of the 2027 general election.
The developing contest could ultimately become a major test of political influence between two former Rivers governors whose rivalry has shaped the state’s politics for years.
