Rivers State — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket of former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as a “joint ticket of corruption.”
Wike made the remarks on Monday while addressing stakeholders at town hall meetings in the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio‑Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor criticised the emerging opposition alliance and questioned its ability to secure the required constitutional threshold of votes in Rivers and other strategic states ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“When I saw Atiku on television yesterday, asking Nigerians to take any money given to them by people from the party in power because it would be stolen money, I said, ‘Haa, Atiku is now an apostle of anti‑corruption?’” Wike said. “The same Atiku whose boss described him as corrupt and said one of his major regrets was making him vice‑president is talking.”
Wike said Amaechi’s presence on the ticket compounded what he described as the political baggage of the opposition alliance.
He said his major political priority remained the re‑election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027. “Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s re‑election. When I am eating, I think about the president’s re‑election. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s re‑election,” he said.
Wike urged Rivers residents to support Tinubu, arguing that the president had recognised the state through political appointments and development projects. “Let us put aside sentiment and vote for the person who has recognised the people of Rivers State through dividends of democracy and several appointments,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Tinubu’s re‑election campaign would be easier than the 2023 contest. “I know the re‑election of Tinubu in 2027 will be easier than that of 2023. We should appreciate Tinubu and ensure massive votes for him. We can do it,” Wike said.
The minister also cautioned political and community stakeholders against internal conflicts, urging them not to allow grassroots disagreements to undermine political activities. “What will be, will be. You don’t need to kill yourself… Anything God has ordained will happen,” he said.
Wike further criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing him and other opposition politicians as “unelectable.”
