Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has predicted that Rotimi Amaechi will ask his supporters to boycott the 2027 presidential election.
According to Wike, Amaechi will make the call before 11am on election day.
Wike spoke at a grand reception held in his honour in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.
Amaechi is a former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation. He is also the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Wike said Amaechi would realise early on election day that he could not defeat his opponents in Rivers State.
“On election day, before 11am, Amaechi will tell his people to boycott the election because he knows there’s no way he’ll defeat us,” Wike said.
Wike mocks Amaechi’s chances
Wike also challenged Amaechi to prove his popularity in his hometown. He said Amaechi must win his hometown, Ubima, before claiming strong support in the state.
Wike also mentioned Amaechi’s polling unit in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“If he wins his village, Ubima, then he has won the election. That’s if he will win his own polling unit,” Wike said.
The FCT minister also criticised the security arrangements that accompanied Amaechi during his political activities in Rivers State.
According to Wike, the former governor previously moved around the state with soldiers and police officers.
However, he said the 2027 contest would be different.
“No more battalions of soldiers to be with him, no more battalions of police to be with him, it’s now that we the battalion of people will come out,” Wike said.
‘We’ll decide Rivers election’
Wike maintained that Rivers residents would determine the outcome of the 2027 election.
He also accused Amaechi of using security personnel to intimidate people during political activities in the state.
“All of us are witnesses to it, he was coming like he was the Commander-in-Chief with a battalion of soldiers intimidating our people, now he will come alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wike and Amaechi have continued their political rivalry as the 2027 elections approach.
Both politicians have remained influential figures in Rivers State politics.
Their latest exchanges have focused on the expected battle for political influence in the state.
However, Wike’s prediction about an election boycott remains his personal assessment.
He did not provide evidence that Amaechi or his supporters plan to boycott the 2027 election.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature a major contest among the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties, including the ADC.
