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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a “political liability” with no electoral value in Rivers State or the wider South-South region.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike questioned the rationale behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—considering Amaechi as a running mate, suggesting that such a choice could only be driven by financial considerations rather than voting strength.

“If you are choosing a Vice Presidential candidate, a running mate, I’m sure the only factor that has been used to choose Rotimi Amaechi, may be financial because the former governor lacks the capacity to deliver votes.

Backing his claims with historical election data, Wike pointed out that Amaechi has failed to secure significant votes in Rivers State across multiple election cycles despite holding high-profile positions.

“He has never won a presidential election after 2011 when I was the Director of Campaign. Never! He was the Director-General of Buhari in 2015 when he was governor; why did he not get 25%?

“He was the DG in 2019 when he was a Super Minister; why did he not get 25%? He supported Atiku in 2023; how come he didn’t get 15%?” Wike queried.

The FCT Minister defined a true political asset as a former governor who retains followership and can point to tangible achievements delivered to his state during his tenure in federal office.

He challenged Amaechi to present the direct benefits his leadership brought to the people of Rivers State and the South-South region.

Wike further accused the former Transportation Minister of political inconsistency, noting that Amaechi had previously criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries as corrupt and irregular, only to turn around and participate in or benefit from the same system.

“This was the same man, just one month ago, who said the APC primary is manual, irregularity, and corruption.

“How can we talk about removing a government that we are saying there is no election, and then we are in another election?

“The same man now is benefiting from the corruption, from irregularities of the same system,” he said.

Reiterating why the region would reject Amaechi’s national ambitions, Wike highlighted past political decisions, including Amaechi’s open opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan—a fellow South-South indigene—during his 2015 re-election bid, as well as his perceived role in the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

“A South-South person wanted to go for a second term. You were proud you kicked him out. Now, will South-South be happy for you to be Vice President?

“You think that people have forgotten?” Wike asked, adding that the electorate in the region would demand accountability for these actions.

Contrasting his administration’s track record with that of his predecessor, Wike highlighted major infrastructural developments in Rivers State, such as the Bonny Road project, arguing that the state has received unprecedented federal attention under the current political dispensation compared to previous administrations.

“Never in the history of Rivers State, from 1999, of those who claimed to be very close to the President, have we had the type of attention that Rivers State has now.

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Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election and Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma has charged members of the campaign council to focus on delivering victory for the party, saying every other matter can wait until after the election.

Uzodinma gave the charge on Monday during a meeting of the campaign council held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

He told members that the campaign was a serious assignment and not an occasion for celebration or social activities.

Uzodinma said the campaign council’s objective was to support the APC in securing victory in the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

He stressed that the meeting was a serious working session, not a social gathering, and that members were expected to contribute meaningfully to the campaign.

We have directed all the subcommittees to meet immediately and submit their ideas and proposals before Thursday. Every member of this council belongs to a subcommittee and has a role to play in ensuring our success in the August 15 governorship election. The purpose of this meeting is to formally mandate the subcommittees to reconvene and come up with practical ideas and services that will strengthen our campaign and make our assignment easier,” Uzodinma said.

He instructed the chairmen of the subcommittees to forward their resolutions and proposals to the council’s national secretary, adding that the Central Working Committee would provide the necessary support to help them carry out their assignments.

I therefore urge all the chairmen of all the subcommittees to submit to the National Secretary of this committee all their resolutions and proposals that will enable them to work, and where they think the Central Working Committee will help them to actualise their mission.”

The APC campaign council chairman stressed that the party had only one objective.

“We have only one mission, to win the election. Everything can come after the elections,” he declared.

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Stakeholders and residents in Osun State have expressed concern over the cancellation of the planned Osun 2026 Governorship Debate.

The stakeholders said the development has denied voters an opportunity to assess the programmes and policies of candidates ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The debate, scheduled for Saturday, August 1, in Osogbo, was called off after the organisers cited security concerns and the reluctance of some leading governorship candidates to participate under the prevailing circumstances.

The event was jointly organised by Uniq FM, Rave FM, Diamond FM and Fresh FM.

In a statement, the organisers said “the decision was reached unanimously following unfavourable security reports and the unwillingness of some major candidates to attend the debate.”

They explained that “the cancellation was necessary to safeguard participants, invited guests, journalists and members of the public.”

The debate was expected to feature governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord and the African Action Congress, AAC, providing an opportunity for them to present their manifestoes and respond to public questions before the election.

The organisers also noted that the decision followed reports of security concerns in parts of Osun State, adding that public safety remained their priority.

They thanked residents and stakeholders for their understanding and promised to communicate any future arrangements through appropriate channels.

Following the announcement, several residents reacted, with many expressing disappointment over the inability of the leading candidates to publicly present their plans for the state before the electorate.

Media executive and civil society advocate Jare Tiamiyu criticised the absence of the candidates from the debate, describing it as a missed opportunity for democratic engagement.

“It’s highly unfortunate that leading governorship candidates in Osun are avoiding scrutiny. It’s obvious that they intentionally orchestrate and sustain crisis to cover discussion on their agenda. So sad!” Tiamiyu wrote on his social media page.

Responding to the post, a resident identified as Mayowa argued that the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was preparing for a separate debate with Channels Television rather than the cancelled event.

Mayowa wrote, “My party governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), is preparing for a debate with an independent television station whose founder is not an appointee of Mr President or any governor. Rave FM, Fresh FM and Westerspring Television can invite AAC, SDP or Accord to their debate.”

Another resident, AbdulAzeez Ismail, also expressed concern over the development, saying governorship aspirants should be willing to explain their agenda directly to the electorate before seeking their votes.

The cancellation of the debate comes less than two weeks before the Osun governorship election.
(DAILY POST)