The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed Nyesom Wike’s prediction of an early victory over Rotimi Amaechi in the 2027 elections, insisting that political confidence cannot substitute for votes at the polling booth.
The party was reacting to remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory at a reception organised by the City Boy Movement in Omagwa, where Wike reportedly declared that Amaechi, the ADC vice-presidential candidate, would be defeated by noon on election day.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, ADC state chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, said the outcome of the election would be determined by Rivers voters and formally announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rather than by any political heavyweight.
“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 accused Wike and Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Charles Wobodo, of turning a public reception into a political confrontation at a time when Amaechi was mourning his late mother. Dimkpa described the development as insensitive, alleging that the event contributed to traffic disruption along the route to Ubima, where mourners had gathered.
According to the ADC chairman, the incident demonstrated what he called an excessive fixation on the political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi. He said his party deliberately avoided responding on Saturday because its priority was the burial of Dame Ezinne Amaechi, stressing that political disagreements should not erase basic respect for moments of grief.
Dimkpa maintained that no individual or political bloc could claim ownership of Rivers State or its electorate, warning that the people would ultimately determine who receives their mandate in 2027. He said the ADC would not be intimidated by political rhetoric and urged residents to scrutinise the records and credibility of candidates before casting their votes.
Wike had, at the Omagwa gathering, expressed confidence that candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition would sweep the 2027 elections. The ADC, however, said such declarations would amount to little unless translated into genuine support at polling units, where it maintained that the people—not political boasts—would have the final say.
