By Muhammad Mamman
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared the 2027 presidential aspirations of former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi as “dead in the water.” Wike, speaking with razor-sharp conviction on Channels Television in Abuja on Tuesday evening, asserted that Amaechi stands no chance of securing his party’s nomination, branding him the least likely candidate to be considered.
Wike didn’t hold back, mocking Amaechi’s recent boast that he knows President Bola Tinubu’s weaknesses and could defeat him. The FCT Minister recounted Amaechi’s string of electoral defeats, stating, “In 2014 and 2015, when he was Rivers State Governor, we trounced him. In 2019, as Transport Minister and Director General of Buhari’s campaign, we crushed him again. And in 2023, backing another candidate, he still came up short. So, where’s the winning formula?” Wike’s rhetorical flourish underscored Amaechi’s lack of political clout to mount a credible presidential bid, even on a new party platform.
The minister also turned his fire on Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, accusing him of harbouring resentment against President Tinubu for not selecting him as vice-presidential running mate. Wike revealed that Lawal, alongside a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, visited him in Port Harcourt shortly after Tinubu’s running mate was announced. “Lawal’s fury stems from his dashed hopes of being vice president. He thought it was his birthright, and when it didn’t happen, all hell broke loose,” Wike quipped, dismissing Lawal’s grievances as overblown. “Must everyone have direct access to the President? That’s not how governance works—ministers and advisers are there for a reason.”
In a parting shot, Wike advised former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal to focus on clearing his name with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rather than politicising his recent summons by the anti-graft agency.
