The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the 2027 presidential ambition of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, saying it is “dead on arrival.” According to him, Amaechi would be the last person the party would consider for its ticket.
In an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday night, August 19, Wike also spoke about Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). He claimed Lawal is angry with President Bola Tinubu because he was not chosen as vice president.
Wike explained that Lawal had visited him in Port Harcourt with a former Speaker of the House of Representatives shortly after Tinubu announced his running mate.
Speaking further on Amaechi’s ambition, Wike mocked the ex-Rivers governor’s claim that he could defeat President Tinubu. He reminded Nigerians that Amaechi had been defeated in several political battles and wondered how he could now claim to have the strength to win.
According to Wike, Amaechi is the last person anyone would hand a presidential ticket to. He pointed out that in 2014 and 2015, Amaechi was defeated while serving as governor. In 2019, as Buhari’s campaign director-general, he also lost.
Even in 2023, when Amaechi supported another candidate, the outcome was still a loss. Wike said these repeated failures prove Amaechi does not have the political strength to succeed, even under a new party platform.
On the issue of Babachir Lawal, Wike said the former SGF was bitter because he expected to be chosen as vice president. When that did not happen, he turned against the president. He added that Lawal’s anger is simply because his personal ambition was not fulfilled.
Wike also stressed that not everyone must have direct access to the president, pointing out that ministers and advisers are already there to represent him.
He further advised former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and clear his name instead of turning his recent invitation by the agency into a political drama.
