2027 elections will not be won by boasting or intimidation, Rivers ADC tells Wike

Rivers State's African Democratic Congress has rejected Nyesom Wike's prediction that Rotimi Amaechi would be defeated by noon on election day in 2027.

ADC chairman Chukwudi Dimkpa said elections would not be decided by political boasts or intimidation. "Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike will declare the winner," he said.

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Elections are not won by boasts, intimidation or political strongmen announcing results in advance. Rivers people will vote, the votes will be counted, and INEC, not Wike will declare the winner.

Dimkpa was responding to remarks attributed to Wike, the Federal Capital Territory minister, at a civic reception held in his honor by Ikwerre Local Government Area in Omagwa. The event took place as Amaechi was burying his mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, and people traveled to his hometown of Ubima to offer condolences.

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It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing.

Dimkpa said Wike and Ikwerre council chairman Charles Wobodo used the same route and occasion for a political reception, obstructing part of the road and creating unnecessary traffic before attacking and taunting a man who was mourning. He called the conduct insensitive, provocative and embarrassing.

The ADC chairman said his party had not responded earlier because it was focused on giving Amaechi's mother a proper burial. He urged Rivers residents not to be intimidated and to choose a credible leader in 2027, adding that nobody owned the state or its votes.

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Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon.