200 people at town hall meeting — Wike mocks Amaechi over 2027 prediction
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, criticized former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi regarding his predictions for the 2027 presidential election, claiming that attendance at Amaechi’s recent town hall meeting in Cross River State was fewer than 200 people.
Wike made his comments during a media briefing on Tuesday. He responded to a suggestion that the emerging opposition coalition, which features former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Amaechi, has raised concerns among supporters of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike recounted Amaechi’s statements at the meeting, where the former governor asserted that Atiku was positioned to win the election due to the regional affiliations of the leading candidates. “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.
According to Wike, Amaechi claimed the election was essentially predetermined based on the candidates’ regions of origin. “He said, ‘Atiku is from where? North. Tinubu is from where? South. Obi is from where? South. Donald Duke is from where? South. Atiku has won the election,’” Wike recounted.
Wike questioned the logic of a vice-presidential candidate making definitive predictions during an event aimed at rallying support. “How can a vice-presidential candidate go to a town hall meeting, standing and telling his supporters, ‘Do you know how this election has been won?’” he asked.
In reference to whether Amaechi’s argument suggested that a leading candidate from the northern region would have an advantage over southern contenders, Wike pointed to the results of the 2023 presidential election. “In 2023, Atiku ran, Obi ran, Tinubu ran, who won?” he inquired.
Wike also noted that the dynamics of the upcoming presidential election may differ from those of 2023. “I’ve always told you people, 2027 will be totally different from 2023,” he said.
