The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, made a political miscalculation by joining the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike said Amaechi failed to seek his counsel before aligning with the opposition coalition, insisting he would have advised him against joining the party.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday, the former Rivers State governor described Amaechi as his political brother despite their long-standing rivalry, recalling that he served as Chief of Staff during Amaechi’s administration in Rivers State.
Amaechi was among prominent politicians who joined the ADC and contested its presidential primary. However, he lost the ticket to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
Following the exercise, Amaechi rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the conduct of the primary.
Reacting to the development, Wike argued that the outcome of the contest was predictable from the outset, claiming the party structure favoured Atiku.
According to him, his experience with key actors within the party made it easy for him to anticipate how events would unfold.
Wike maintained that had Amaechi consulted him before joining the ADC, he would have warned him against participating in what he described as a process lacking openness and fairness.
The FCT minister alleged that the party’s internal arrangements were designed to produce a predetermined outcome, adding that Amaechi was persuaded into a contest that was difficult to win.
He further stated that the former Rivers governor acted in haste and was influenced by political associates who encouraged him to pursue his presidential ambition through the coalition platform.
Amaechi and Wike, once close political allies in Rivers State, have become two of the country’s most prominent political rivals, frequently clashing over issues relating to governance and politics in the South-South region.
The ADC has yet to respond to Wike’s latest remarks regarding the conduct of its presidential primary.
