Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s prediction on the 2027 presidential election, saying his town hall meeting in Cross River drew fewer than 200 people.
Wike spoke during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, in response to a question on whether the emerging opposition alliance involving Amaechi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar poses a threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
He said Amaechi had argued at the meeting that Atiku, who is from the North, would win in 2027 because President Tinubu, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Governor Donald Duke are all from the South.
“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.
He questioned the logic behind the prediction.
“How can a vice-presidential candidate go to a town hall meeting, stand and tell his supporters, ‘Do you know how this election has been won?’” he said.
Wike also challenged the assumption that Atiku’s northern origin would give him an automatic advantage.
“In 2023, Atiku ran, Obi ran, Tinubu ran. Who won?” he asked.
Tinubu won the 2023 election ahead of Atiku and Obi who finished second and third respectively.
Wike however said 2027 would be different from 2023.
“I have always told you people, 2027 will be totally different from 2023,” he said.
