Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress has dismissed the claim by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that its 2027 vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by noon on election day, insisting that Rivers State voters will determine the outcome of the election.
The Rivers State ADC Chairman, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made the position known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, following comments attributed to Wike at a civic reception held in his honour by the Ikwerre Local Government Area in Omagwa on Saturday.
Dimkpa said no politician should assume that the 2027 election could be won through political intimidation, boasts or promises aimed at winning over voters.
“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.
The ADC chairman also criticised the timing and conduct of the reception, alleging that it took place as Amaechi was burying his mother, Dame Ezinne Amaechi, in his hometown of Ubima.
Dimkpa stated, “On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima, his hometown to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (Charles Wobodo) chose that same route and occasion for a political reception, obstructing part of the road, creating unnecessary traffic and then turning the event into a platform for attacking and taunting a man who was mourning his mother.
“It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing”, Dimkpa stated.
He argued that political differences should not override basic human considerations, particularly during a period of mourning.
The ADC chairman said, “if Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry.”
Dimkpa said the ADC deliberately avoided responding to the alleged provocation at the time because its members were focused on ensuring that Amaechi’s mother received a befitting burial.
He continued, “We refused to dignify the provocation with a response that is because our attention was on giving Mama (Dame Ezinne Amaechi) a befitting burial..
“But Wike should understand that 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”.
Dimkpa urged Rivers residents not to allow themselves to be intimidated ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying voters should freely choose candidates they believe can improve their lives.
He said the people of Rivers State would ultimately determine their political leadership through their votes, while the Independent National Electoral Commission would be responsible for declaring the official results.
