Wike Criticises Amaechi and Atiku Ahead of 2027 Elections

Wike’s public rebuke of two former national leaders

On 27 and 28 October 2026, Rivers State Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, addressed crowds at the unveiling of candidates for the state’s Rainbow Coalition. During the event he criticised former Transport Minister and ADC vice‑presidential candidate Chibuike Amaechi, arguing that Amaechi should not hold any national office because of alleged mismanagement of state funds. He also attacked former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate for 2027, accusing him of repeatedly changing political positions and being untrustworthy.

Wike’s remarks were made public through statements released by the Minister and reported by several news outlets. He highlighted specific financial controversies involving Amaechi, including the sale of Afam Power Station in December 2014 for US$308 million, the unaccounted US$49 million from the Justice Karibi‑Whyte Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and a US$10 million fumigation project. Wike claimed that these amounts were not properly documented and that a Judiciary Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice George Omereji, had indicted Amaechi. The former governor reportedly challenged the report to the Supreme Court and lost.

Regarding Atiku, Wike said he had once been one of the former Vice‑President’s most committed backers during the 2019 presidential election, but that his experience had led him to doubt Atiku’s reliability. Wike alleged that Atiku’s pattern of shifting political stances made him an unreliable ally.

Background

Chibuike Amaechi served as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015 and later as Minister of Transportation. He is the vice‑presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 elections. The allegations against him stem from financial irregularities linked to state projects during his tenure as governor and minister.

Atiku Abubakar was Vice‑President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 and is the ADC presidential candidate for 2027. He has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for decades, having switched parties multiple times.

Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has previously served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. He is a key figure in the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance of six parties in Rivers State.

Why it matters

Wike’s accusations could influence public perception of both Amaechi and Atiku ahead of the 2027 general elections. The allegations against Amaechi touch on large sums of money—US$308 million from Afam Power Station, US$49 million from a hospital, N68 billion for a monorail and US$10 million for fumigation—raising questions about the integrity of former state officials. If the public accepts Wike’s claims, it could diminish support for the ADC’s candidates.

For Atiku, Wike’s remarks about his shifting political positions may affect voters who previously viewed him as a stable political actor. The claim that he is untrustworthy could sway undecided voters or those who rely on political endorsements.

What happens next

The sources do not indicate any formal investigations or legal actions triggered by Wike’s statements. No official response from Amaechi or Atiku is reported in the provided material. The Rainbow Coalition’s plans for the 2027 elections, including a governorship pick, were mentioned but no specific dates or decisions were disclosed.

The statements are likely to be taken up by political commentators and could shape campaign narratives as the 2027 elections approach.