Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, describing the combination as a “joint ticket of corruption.”
Wike made the remarks on Monday during town hall meetings with stakeholders from the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he also criticised the opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former Rivers governor questioned Atiku’s recent criticism of vote-buying and his call for Nigerians to accept money offered by ruling-party politicians while rejecting the political influence attached to such funds.
“When I saw Atiku on television yesterday, asking Nigerians to take any money given to them by people from the party in power, that it will be stolen money, I said, ‘Haa, Atiku is now an apostle of anti-corruption?’” Wike said.
Wike also referred to past criticism of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as president while Atiku was vice president between 1999 and 2007. He questioned Atiku’s anti-corruption credentials based on those historical disagreements.
The FCT minister extended his criticism to Amaechi, questioning the political strength of the former Rivers governor and the ADC ticket’s prospects in Rivers State. Wike claimed the opposition coalition would struggle to obtain the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in the state.
Wike’s comments are significant as political parties and emerging alliances intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election. The ADC has positioned Atiku as its presidential candidate, while Amaechi is his running mate.
Wike, who remains politically aligned with President Bola Tinubu despite serving in the federal government after leaving office in Rivers, said his current priority was supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid. He urged Rivers residents to back the president, citing federal appointments and development projects involving the state.
The latest exchange adds to growing political disagreements among former allies as opposition parties attempt to consolidate their structures ahead of the 2027 election. Wike and Amaechi previously worked together in Rivers politics, with Wike serving as Amaechi’s chief of staff when Amaechi was governor.
