Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the prospect of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar pairing with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the 2027 presidential election, declaring that Amaechi would make an already weak ticket worse.
Wike questioned the credibility of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, arguing that both politicians should be judged by their records in public office.
‘As bad as the Atiku ticket is, attaching Rotimi Amaechi as a vice president worsens it. It is important to show your report card,’ Wike said at a Rainbow Coalition gathering in Rivers State.
The minister challenged Atiku to explain his achievements during his eight years as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
He particularly questioned Atiku’s role in the Federal Government’s privatisation programme.
‘Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president, but a very powerful vice-president. He was in charge of privatisation and everything concerning companies and industries owned by the government,’ Wike said.
‘Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!’
Wike also invoked Obasanjo’s past criticism of Atiku, including reports that the former president had expressed regret over supporting his emergence as vice-president.
He urged Nigerians to consider that assessment when evaluating Atiku’s renewed presidential ambition.
Turning to Amaechi, Wike questioned several financial transactions and projects undertaken during his tenure as Rivers State governor between 2007 and 2015.
He demanded explanations for the reported sale of a gas turbine for $308 million in December 2014, the alleged expenditure of $39 million on a proposed specialist hospital and N68 billion on the state’s monorail project.
The minister also questioned the reported spending of $10 million on a mosquito-control programme.
‘Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?’ he asked.
Wike maintained that politicians seeking higher office must account for their handling of public resources before asking Nigerians for another opportunity to govern.
The Rainbow Coalition, under which Wike made the remarks, is mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.