The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has told the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stop parading Rivers State as his private estate. The party insisted that Wike has no power to stop former Governor Chibuike Amaechi from campaigning in the state. This is in reaction to comments credited to Wike, who reportedly vowed not to allow Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the ADC, to campaign in Rivers unless he accounts for alleged misappropriated funds while in office.
In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Eneyi, the ADC described Wike's outburst as "political entertainment" laced with threats, insults, and unsubstantiated allegations. The party wondered why Wike, who served as Chief of Staff to Amaechi and later governed Rivers for eight years, is only now discovering alleged financial crimes. The ADC found it amusing that Wike speaks as though he has only just discovered who Amaechi is.
The ADC queried Wike, asking why he did not ensure the prosecution of alleged crimes when he had the opportunity and resources as governor. The party added that television studios are not courtrooms, and political insults are not evidence. It challenged Wike to take any evidence he has to anti-graft agencies instead of engaging in a media trial.
The ADC said Nigerians deserve facts, not name-calling. On Wike's warning that Amaechi would find it difficult to campaign in Rivers, the party said the comment is an affront to democracy and a veiled plot to intimidate the opposition. The ADC declared that Amaechi does not require Wike's permission to visit, campaign, or seek the votes of Rivers people.
The party called on security agencies to take note of the threat and ensure that the constitutional rights and safety of all political actors are protected ahead of 2027. It also accused the FCT Minister of abandoning his primary assignment in Abuja to monitor Amaechi's political moves. The ADC found it curious that a Minister entrusted with the administration of the Federal Capital Territory appears to devote so much energy to monitoring the political activities of one man.
According to the ADC, if Amaechi were truly politically irrelevant as Wike wants Nigerians to believe, his statements would not require emergency responses from the Minister. The party concluded that Rivers State is not anybody's inheritance, and democracy is not a private franchise. No Minister holds the license to determine who may or may not campaign in Rivers State.
The ADC's reaction comes as Wike's comments have generated reactions from various stakeholders. The incident has sparked concerns about the level of politicking in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC has urged Wike to focus on his primary assignment in Abuja and allow Amaechi to exercise his constitutional rights.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress in Rivers State criticizes FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for threatening to block former Governor Chibuike Amaechi's campaign.
- The ADC describes Wike's outburst as "political entertainment" laced with threats, insults, and unsubstantiated allegations.
- The party challenges Wike to take evidence to anti-graft agencies instead of engaging in a media trial.
