ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will not secure up to 10 per cent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 general election.
Wike also insisted that no other party candidate would win the governorship election in the state except the candidate agreed upon by his political alliance, known as the Rainbow Coalition.
He made the remarks on Saturday at a luncheon held in honour of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
The coalition reportedly brings together members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP), and other political groups.
Wike said the coalition would determine the next governor of Rivers State from among four candidates drawn from the participating parties, stressing that no single individual had been “anointed” yet.
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He also dismissed the electoral strength of the ADC and what he referred to as the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming they lack electoral experience.
“ADC and NDC have not run election before. They do not understand election. They only understand defection,” he said, adding that Rivers voters would “show them what election is.”
Wike further argued that performance in previous elections showed limited support for opposition figures in the state.
“Atiku Abubakar in 2023 never got 10 per cent in Rivers State. It will be very disheartening that he will get 11 per cent in the next election,” he said.
According to him, the coalition structure in Rivers State would ensure control of the electoral outcome, adding that hard work at the grassroots level would determine victory.
He also praised members of the state House of Assembly, particularly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, for what he described as defending democracy and maintaining stability in the state.