Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has launched another attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, describing the combination as a “joint ticket of corruption.”
Wike made the remarks on Monday while addressing political stakeholders from the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor questioned Atiku’s anti-corruption credentials after the ADC presidential candidate reportedly urged Nigerians to accept money offered by politicians during the 2027 election, describing such funds as stolen money.
Wike challenged Atiku’s position, asking how the former vice-president could present himself as an anti-corruption figure.
He also cited past criticisms of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as Atiku’s principal between 1999 and 2007.
Wike extended his criticism to Amaechi, Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the ADC ticket lacked the political strength to make a significant impact in Rivers State.
He claimed the ticket would struggle to secure the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in the state in the 2027 presidential election. That remains a political prediction by Wike, not an established electoral outcome.
Wike, who has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, reiterated that his current political priority is mobilising support for the President.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection.”
He urged Rivers voters to support Tinubu, citing federal appointments and development projects in the state as reasons for backing the President.
Wike also expressed confidence that Tinubu’s 2027 campaign in Rivers would be easier than his 2023 campaign.