The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by noon on election day in the 2027 general elections.
The ADC said elections were not won through political boasts, intimidation or the declaration of results before votes were cast and counted.
Wike had made the remark on Saturday during a civic reception organised in his honour by the City Boy Movement at Omagwa, Rivers State, where he also expressed confidence that candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections.
Reacting in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the ADC State Chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, said Wike’s prediction was misplaced, stressing that the electorate, rather than any individual politician, would determine the outcome of the election.
“Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike, will declare the winner,” Dimkpa said.
The ADC chairman also criticised the civic reception held at Omagwa, describing it as insensitive because it coincided with the movement of mourners to Ubima for the burial of Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi.
According to him, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, used the occasion to engage in political activities and attack Amaechi while he was mourning his mother.
“On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area chose that same route and occasion for a political reception, obstructing part of the road, creating unnecessary traffic and then turning the event into a platform for attacking and taunting a man who was mourning his mother.
“It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing,” he said.
Dimkpa maintained that politics should have its limits, arguing that there should be occasions when political differences are set aside for humanity and respect.
“There is always a time for politics and there is a time for humanity. If Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then the Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry,” he added.
The ADC chairman explained that the party deliberately refrained from responding to Wike’s remarks on Saturday because its attention was focused on ensuring that Amaechi’s mother received a befitting burial.
He, however, warned against attempts by any individual or political group to claim ownership of Rivers State or its electorate.
“We refused to dignify the provocation with a response that day because our attention was on giving Mama, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, a befitting burial.
“But Wike should understand that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon,” Dimkpa said.
He urged Rivers residents to reject intimidation and remain focused on electing credible leaders in 2027, saying the electorate should choose candidates capable of improving their lives and advancing the state’s development.
The exchange further highlights the deepening political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two influential political figures in Rivers State, ahead of the 2027 elections.
