Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has canvassed that the presidency should remain in the southern part of the country, even after President Bola Tinubu may have concluded two terms of four years each.
Wike who spoke during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said “It is the turn of the South”.
This goes against an unwritten rule of rotating the presidency between the north and the south for inclusiveness.
Wike also criticised the emergence of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, questioning his electoral value and political record.
Amaechi was recently named running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the ADC ticket ahead of the next presidential poll.
Speaking during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike argued that Amaechi’s political history does not position him as a strong asset to the opposition coalition.
According to the FCT minister, Amaechi failed to significantly influence electoral outcomes for former President Muhammadu Buhari despite serving as a two-term governor of Rivers State and later as a senior minister in the Buhari administration.
“Chibuike Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus to Amaechi. He was governor and could not deliver for Buhari. He was a Grade A minister and still could not secure 25 per cent for Buhari in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He also referenced Amaechi’s past comments about his role in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, arguing that such statements could make it difficult for Rivers voters to embrace his candidacy.
“He publicly said he was among those who removed Jonathan. He did not want a South-South president to complete his tenure. Given that history, it will be difficult to sell his candidature to Rivers people,” Wike added.
The former Rivers governor further contrasted the current administration with previous governments, contending that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has provided greater opportunities for manpower development and appointments for people from the Niger Delta region.
Wike maintained that Rivers people should prioritise the state’s interests and support policies and leaders they believe would advance development.
“Any Rivers person who genuinely loves the state and wants its development cannot choose what is inferior over what is better. People should always put the interest of Rivers State first,” he said.
Continuing his criticism of Amaechi, Wike accused the former minister of political inconsistency, particularly regarding his recent outreach to the Ogoni ethnic nationality.
He alleged that Amaechi failed to support the emergence of an Ogoni governor while in power but was now seeking their support from the opposition.
“When he was in power, he denied an Ogoni man the opportunity to become governor. Now that he is in opposition, he is reaching out to them. Why deceive the public?” Wike said.
While acknowledging that the PDP is expected to field a presidential candidate, Wike warned that the party’s internal challenges must first be addressed if it hopes to regain political relevance.
“As a party, we must present a candidate, but presenting a candidate does not automatically mean victory. The PDP has gone through a crisis and needs time to rebuild,” he said.
He added that the party should focus on strengthening its structures ahead of future elections.
(Ripples)