Rivers ADC fires back at Wike over 2027 election boasts, timing row

Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, made remarks at a civic reception held in Omagwa within Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday that have drawn sharp rebuke from the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State. At the gathering, Wike asserted that by noon on election day, Rotimi Amaechi—the ADC's vice-presidential candidate—would be defeated.

State Chairman Chukwudi Dimkpa of the ADC characterized such assertions as hollow boasting, arguing that securing electoral success demands more than intimidation or hollow assurances. The timing and venue of Wike's intervention troubled the ADC considerably.

Saturday was when Amaechi's mother was being laid to rest in Ubima, yet the civic reception proceeded as planned. Party leadership found this scheduling problematic, viewing it as an extension of personal political antagonism rather than appropriate decorum.

In remarks issued Monday, Dimkpa contended that such conduct has no bearing on how elections should unfold and urged Rivers voters to evaluate candidates based on genuine governance capacity, not provocative language designed to inflame passions. Underlying Wike's current posture toward Amaechi appears rooted in longstanding grievances about his former colleague's stewardship when serving as Rivers governor.

Wike has articulated criticism regarding what he deems inadequate backing from Amaechi during earlier periods and has positioned his backing of President Bola Tinubu's administration in deliberate opposition to positions taken by his former predecessor. This framing has become central to how Wike approaches the forthcoming 2027 contest.

As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, factional competition within Rivers State politics grows more pronounced. The ADC has made clear it will refrain from reciprocating what officials describe as inflammatory attacks, choosing instead to direct engagement toward constituents.

This collision of political figures reflects persistent divisions rooted in Wike's departure from the Peoples Democratic Party and subsequent embrace of the All Progressives Congress.