ADC primary was Atiku's setup to block Amaechi, says Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has asserted that the African Democratic Congress's (ADC) leadership structure was intentionally set up by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to ensure that Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, would not have a fair chance at the party's 2027 presidential ticket. Wike described the arrangement as "Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent."

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Amaechi is my brother. I served as Chief of Staff in his government. When I saw that he was running with them, I knew what would happen. If he had called me, I would have said, ‘Don’t go there.’ It was very clear he would not get transparency or due process.

Wike, speaking during a media chat in Abuja, explained that he would have advised Amaechi against contesting if he had sought his counsel. "Amaechi is my brother. I served as Chief of Staff in his government. When I saw that he was running with them, I knew what would happen. If he had called me, I would have said, ‘Don’t go there.’ It was very clear he would not get transparency or due process," Wike stated.

The FCT minister further argued that the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as the ADC chairman was a clear indicator that the process was rigged in favor of Abubakar. "When you have worked with these people, you know who is who and what they are capable of doing. That set-up was Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent. You cannot set a trap for me. We know ourselves as politicians. Who told you that kind of structure would give you transparency? Who told you that kind of structure would give you free and fair elections?" he questioned.

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When I saw the setup in ADC and saw David Mark there, I laughed. When you have worked with these people, you know who is who and what they are capable of doing. That set-up was Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent.

Wike believes Amaechi misjudged the political climate and was swayed by criticism of the current Tinubu administration. "I think my brother made a mistake. He was too much in a hurry. He was carried away by people shouting that this government is not doing well. They used that to lure people in and give themselves credibility," he added. Wike also recalled grievances from the Peoples Democratic Party's 2022 presidential primary, accusing David Mark of failing to ensure a level playing field.

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I think my brother made a mistake. He was too much in a hurry. He was carried away by people shouting that this government is not doing well. They used that to lure people in and give themselves credibility.

These remarks follow Amaechi's rejection of the ADC presidential primary results. Amaechi had described the exercise as "concocted" and alleged that many party members were prevented from voting, undermining the promised transparency and fairness.

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Amaechi rejected the outcome of the ADC presidential primary, describing the exercise as “concocted” and alleging that the process fell short of the transparency and fairness promised by the party.