RismadarVoice Reporters
October 13, 2026
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his reported prediction that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar could win the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a media chat on Tuesday, Wike questioned Amaechi’s assessment of the political landscape and claimed that fewer than 200 people attended a town hall meeting addressed by the former Minister of Transportation in Cross River State.
The FCT minister made the remarks while responding to questions about the potential influence of an opposition alliance involving Atiku and Amaechi ahead of the general elections.
“I watched Amaechi; he had a town hall meeting in Cross River. I can tell you the numbers were not up to 200 people,” Wike said.
According to Wike, Amaechi had suggested that Atiku could benefit electorally from being a northern presidential contender, while President Bola Tinubu, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke were from the South.
Wike challenged the reasoning behind the reported prediction, arguing that the geographical origins of presidential candidates were insufficient grounds for determining the outcome of an election.
He recalled the 2023 presidential contest, in which Tinubu defeated Atiku and Obi, despite all three candidates participating in the race.
“In 2023, Atiku ran, Obi ran, Tinubu ran- who won?” he asked.
The former Rivers State governor maintained that the political circumstances surrounding the 2027 election would differ from those of 2023.
“I’ve always told you people, 2027 will be totally different from 2023,” Wike stated.
His remarks reflect continuing disagreements among political figures over possible alliances, regional voting patterns and the strategies likely to shape the next presidential election.
However, Wike’s claim about attendance at Amaechi’s town hall meeting has not been independently verified.
Neither Amaechi’s reported assessment nor Wike’s response establishes how voters will decide in 2027, with the election’s outcome dependent on the candidates, political developments and votes cast.
