The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rivers State chapter, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his repeated attacks on former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing the remarks as a sign of fear rather than political strength.
The party also rejected Wike’s claim that the outcome of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State is already settled, saying the people of the state, and not any individual politician, will determine who wins the election.
The Rivers State ADC Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, made the position known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Enyi was reacting to comments made by Wike during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where the FCT minister said Amaechi no longer possessed the political influence needed to win elections in Rivers State.
Wike also suggested that the opposition posed little or no threat to the political structure he supports in the state.
But the ADC spokesman said Wike’s repeated attacks on Amaechi contradicted his claim that the opposition lacked political strength.
According to Enyi, a politician who is confident of victory should not spend so much time attacking individuals he describes as politically irrelevant.
“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.
“Such contradictions betray anxiety rather than confidence,” the statement said.
The party accused Wike of trying to undermine Amaechi’s political relevance in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
It said Amaechi remained one of the most influential political figures to emerge from Rivers State, pointing to his record as governor, federal minister and political leader.
“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.
Amaechi served as governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike succeeded Amaechi as governor and served from 2015 to 2023. Both men were once members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and were political allies, but their relationship later deteriorated.
Their political rivalry has remained one of the major factors shaping politics in Rivers State.
Amaechi later moved into the ADC and contested for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election. He lost the primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who later selected him as running mate.
Wike, meanwhile, was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by President Bola Tinubu after the 2023 presidential election.
Although he remains a member of the PDP, Wike served in an administration led by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and has remained an influential figure in national politics.
The latest disagreement between the two political camps comes as parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The ADC argued that Wike’s reliance on the results of previous elections was not enough to determine what would happen in 2027.
Enyi said elections were decided by voters based on the political circumstances at the time, adding that no two elections were exactly the same.
“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 party said.
The opposition party also rejected the suggestion that any politician could determine the political future of Rivers State.
It said the state’s electorate had become more politically aware and would make their own decisions when they go to the polls.
“It is also curious that the minister now seeks to present himself as the sole custodian of Rivers State’s political destiny. Rivers State belongs to its people, not to any individual. No one possesses the exclusive right to determine how Rivers people will vote,” the statement said.
The party’s position comes against the background of intense political competition in Rivers State, which has remained a key battleground in Nigerian politics.
Rivers is one of the country’s most politically important states because of its large population, economic importance and position as a major oil-producing state.
Control of the state has also traditionally been important to national political parties because of its political influence in the South-South region.
The ADC said Rivers residents were more concerned about the problems affecting their daily lives than political quarrels between leading politicians.
According to the party, issues such as the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and the welfare of ordinary citizens should receive greater attention from public officials.
“More importantly, Rivers people are not interested in endless political quarrels or personality clashes.
“They are concerned about the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the growing hardship across the country. These are the issues that deserve the attention of public office holders,” it said.
The party said it would focus on presenting its programmes and political vision to Rivers voters rather than engaging in what it described as unnecessary exchanges of insults.
The ADC also dismissed Wike’s claim that only one political party could win the state in 2027.
According to the party, election victories cannot be guaranteed through public declarations because the final decision rests with voters.
“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,” it said.
The party advised Wike to focus on his duties as FCT minister and allow Rivers residents to make their political choices freely.
“We therefore advise Chief Wike to concentrate on the enormous responsibilities of administering the Federal Capital Territory and allow Rivers people the freedom to make their democratic choices without intimidation, propaganda, or political grandstanding,” the statement added.
The ADC said it remained confident that the electorate would ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 election.
The party is expected to continue its mobilisation in Rivers State as political parties prepare for the next general election.
With Wike and Amaechi on opposing sides of the emerging political contest, their rivalry is likely to remain a major feature of Rivers politics ahead of 2027.
However, the ADC’s response shows that the party intends to shift the focus from the personal rivalry between the two former governors to broader issues of governance and the needs of the electorate.
The party maintained that political power belonged to the people and that no individual, regardless of political influence, could predetermine the result of an election.
“The ADC remains confident that truth, performance, and the will of the people will ultimately prevail,” Enyi said.