The opposition party says the FCT minister’s confidence over the 2027 Rivers election reflects anxiety, insisting voters will decide the outcome

The African Democratic Congress has launched a fresh political broadside against Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of trying to diminish the influence of former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, while dismissing his confidence that the 2027 Rivers State governorship election is already settled.

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The opposition party said on Tuesday that Wike’s repeated attacks on Amaechi betrayed anxiety over the growing strength of opposition forces rather than political confidence, arguing that the outcome of the next election would ultimately be determined by voters.

The latest ADC Wike Amaechi dispute followed comments made by Wike during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where the FCT minister questioned Amaechi’s ability to win elections in Rivers State and suggested that any political party he supports would emerge victorious in the 2027 contest.

The Rivers State ADC Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, described the remarks as an attempt to undermine Amaechi’s political relevance in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

Enyi argued that Wike’s claim that the opposition posed no serious threat was at odds with the minister’s continued focus on opposition figures and political rivals.

“It is ironic that a man who has repeatedly claimed that the opposition poses no threat has continued to devote so much time and energy attacking the very people he says have no electoral value,” Enyi said.

“Such contradictions betray anxiety rather than confidence.”

The ADC spokesman said Wike’s references to previous election results failed to account for the changing political circumstances surrounding every electoral contest.

According to him, voters are becoming increasingly politically conscious and cannot be assumed to support any candidate or party based solely on the outcome of previous elections.

“The minister’s repeated references to previous elections conveniently ignore the reality that elections are determined by the Nigerian people under prevailing political circumstances. Every election is unique, and 2027 will be no exception,” the statement said.

The party also defended Amaechi’s political record, describing him as one of the most influential political figures to have emerged from Rivers State.

It said his contributions to governance and public service did not require validation from political opponents.

“Chief Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history will not erase the undeniable fact that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi remains one of the most consequential political leaders to emerge from Rivers State,” the party said.

The exchange adds another layer to the increasingly charged political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Rivers State expected to remain a major battleground because of its strategic importance and history of intense political competition.

The ADC, however, said Rivers residents were more concerned about practical issues affecting their daily lives than political personality clashes.

The party listed economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and the welfare of ordinary citizens among the issues it believes should receive greater attention from public officials.

“Rivers State belongs to its people, not to any individual. No one possesses the exclusive right to determine how Rivers people will vote,” Enyi said.

The party maintained that it would focus on presenting its policies and programmes to the electorate rather than engaging in prolonged political exchanges.

It also rejected Wike’s suggestion that the 2027 outcome could be predetermined by the political machinery of any individual or party.

“As for the boast that only one political party can win Rivers State, democracy is decided by the electorate, not by media declarations. The people will have the final say in 2027,” the statement added.

The ADC urged Wike to concentrate on his responsibilities as FCT minister and allow Rivers voters to freely determine their political future without what it described as intimidation, propaganda or political grandstanding.

The party said it remained confident that the electorate would ultimately reward credible leadership and performance, insisting that the final verdict on the state’s political direction would come from voters at the ballot box.

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The latest ADC Wike Amaechi clash underscores the political rivalry already taking shape ahead of 2027, as parties and prominent political figures position themselves for what is expected to be a closely watched electoral contest in Rivers State.