Wike will lose 2027 if he thinks boasts win elections, Rivers ADC replies

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has responded to a threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying elections are not won through boasts or claims of victory before voters cast their ballots.

The party was reacting to comments credited to Wike during a civic reception organised in his honour by the City Boy Movement at Omagwa on Saturday, where he reportedly said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, would be defeated by 12 noon on election day.

In a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers ADC chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, said political declarations and intimidation cannot determine electoral outcomes.

“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,” Dimkpa said.

He also criticised the timing of Wike’s event, alleging that the reception coincided with the movement of mourners attending the burial of Amaechi’s mother in Ubima.

Dimkpa described the action as insensitive, claiming that Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, turned the occasion into a platform for political attacks against Amaechi.

“On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area chose that same route and occasion for a political reception,” he said.

The ADC chairman said the party avoided responding immediately because its focus was on giving Amaechi’s mother a befitting burial, but warned that no individual could claim ownership of Rivers voters.

“Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon,” he said.

Dimkpa urged Rivers residents not to be intimidated ahead of the 2027 elections, saying voters would have the opportunity to choose leaders based on their performance and credibility.

Wike had earlier told his supporters at the reception that candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

Dear Vows