The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the 2027 presidential ambition of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that his chances are “dead on arrival.”
Wike argued that Amaechi would be the last person to be considered for a party’s ticket, pointing to his consistent defeats in past political contests.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday night, monitored in Abuja, Wike also alleged that Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), harbors resentment towards President Bola Tinubu because he was overlooked for the position of vice president. According to Wike, Lawal even visited him in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, alongside a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, shortly after Tinubu announced his running mate.
On Amaechi’s presidential aspiration, Wike dismissed his claims of having the ability to defeat President Tinubu by highlighting his history of electoral losses. He recalled that Amaechi had been “mercilessly” defeated on several occasions, including when he served as governor in 2014 and 2015, when he acted as Minister and Director General of Buhari’s campaign in 2019, and even in 2023 when he backed another candidate but still lost. Wike questioned how Amaechi could now assert the strength to win, given such a track record.
“The last person they will give a ticket to is Amaechi. That is dead on arrival. In 2014 and 2015, when he was governor, we defeated him. In 2019, when he was Minister and Director General of Buhari’s campaign, we also defeated him. Even in 2023, when he supported another candidate, he still lost. So how would he now claim the capacity to win?” Wike asked.
He stressed that Amaechi’s history makes it clear he lacks the political weight to secure a presidential victory, regardless of any new political platform.
Turning to Aminu Tambuwal, the former Governor of Sokoto State, Wike advised him to respond to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation instead of portraying it as political persecution.
On Babachir Lawal, Wike maintained that his frustration was tied to his unmet expectation of being chosen as vice president. “What was his anger? His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as the vice presidential candidate. Having not done that, heaven would have to let loose. He wanted to become vice president; that is very obvious,” Wike stated.
He further questioned Lawal’s approach, remarking, “Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs? There are ministers and advisers who represent him.”
What you should know
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, has ruled out any possibility of Rotimi Amaechi’s 2027 presidential bid, citing his repeated electoral losses as proof of political weakness.
He also alleged that Babachir Lawal’s discontent with President Tinubu stems from not being selected as vice president, while urging Aminu Tambuwal to face EFCC investigations instead of politicizing the matter.
