Amaechi’s VP slot can’t stand, not after Jonathan’s ouster in 2015 – Wike + Video

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has kicked against the emergence of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election.

The FCT minister accused Amaechi of playing a primary role in the ouster of former President Goodluck Jonathan by working against his own region in 2015.

Wike, who spoke on Tuesday at a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, said the South South people have not forgotten Amaechi’s role in Jonathan’s defeat.

According to the Minister, Amaechi cannot kick his own brother out and expect to be kicked in as a vice president.

He said, “When Jonathan from the South South wanted to run for the second term, Amaechi came out on national television and said “kick him out”.

“A South South person wants to run for his second term and you are proud to kick him out. Then the South South should be happy for you to be vice president?

“You kicked your own brother out and then you want people to kick you in”.

The Minister urged Rivers State residents to reject Amaechi at the forthcoming general elections, accusing him of being a disgrace to the state.

Wike also said that when Amaechi was a minister, he never brought any development to the state.

The Eagle Online reports that Wike, during a media chat with selected radio stations in Port Harcourt on Saturday, also referred to Amaechi’s previous comments about his role in Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 election, saying such remarks could affect his acceptance among Rivers voters.

“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,” he added.

Wike also contrasted the current administration with previous governments, arguing that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had provided greater opportunities for appointments and manpower development in the Niger Delta.

“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 Transportation of political inconsistency over his recent engagement with the Ogoni ethnic nationality.

“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?” he said.

On reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike said neither he nor the mainstream PDP leadership was involved.

“I have never heard former President Jonathan say he wants to run for president,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

“We are with the President and happy where we are. Nobody leaves something good for something worse. Tinubu will win, and I will support Tinubu,” Wike said.

While acknowledging that the PDP would field a presidential candidate, Wike said the party must first resolve its internal crisis if it hoped 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 power should remain in the South after the expiration of Tinubu’s tenure.

“It is the turn of the South,” Wike said.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖