The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has mocked former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his prediction about the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, claiming that fewer than 200 people attended Amaechi’s town hall meeting in Cross River State.
Wike made the remarks during his media chat on Tuesday while responding to suggestions that the emerging opposition alliance involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Amaechi was unsettling supporters of President Bola Tinubu.
Recounting Amaechi’s comments at the meeting, Wike said the former governor had argued that Atiku was positioned to win the 2027 election based on the regional distribution of likely contenders.
“I watched Amaechi, he had a town hall meeting in Cross River. I can tell you the number is not up to 200 people,” Wike said.
According to Wike, Amaechi told attendees that the election had already been decided.
“He said, ‘Atiku is from where? North. Tinubu is from where? South. Obi is from where? South. Donald Duke is from where? South. Atiku has won the election,’” Wike recounted.
The FCT Minister questioned why a vice-presidential hopeful would make such a declaration at a town hall meeting.
“How can a vice-presidential candidate go to a town hall meeting, standing and telling his supporters, ‘Do you know how this election has been won?’” he asked.
When asked if Amaechi’s argument was premised on Atiku, as the leading northern candidate, having an advantage over his southern rivals, Wike referenced the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
“In 2023, Atiku ran, Obi ran, Tinubu ran, who won?” he asked.
He added that the dynamics of the next general election would be different.
“I’ve always told you people, 2027 will be totally different from 2023,” Wike said.
