The rift between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi is likely to tear Rivers State apart than it did in 2015. This is because in 2015, the governorship ambition of Wike was a NO! NO! to Amaechi who was at the time rounding off his second term as governor.
Now, the presidential ambition of Amaechi in 2027 will also be a NO! NO! to Wike who is working tirelessly for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, in order to sustain his political relevance at the national level.
Since the formation of the new coalition of opposition leaders with Amaechi as one of the key figures, Wike has moved to strengthen his base in Rivers State by making sure that the impasse between him and the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara is quickly resolved.
Sign of looming political disagreements between Wike and Amaechi became more glaring when the duo at different times were interviewed on Channels Television few days ago.
During the interview, Amaechi expressed anger, citing disrespect from Wike as his reason, insisting that he is older than Wike as he described Wike as someone he brought into politics. To Amaechi, what Wike is, today, in politics, he Amaechi contributed to his success.
But when reacting, Wike saw Amaechi as someone who has no hand in his political success. Wike also narrated how he helped Amaechi in his political journey especially when he was seeking to be governor in 2007.
Also Read: Wike Says Tinubu Inherited ‘Collapsed’ Economy, Defends Reforms
A former Senate President, David Mark was adopted as the interim national chairman of the coalition ADC who is from the North Central Geopolitical Zone of the country. The calculation is to allow the South complete eight years in office as president; meaning the ADC may likely field in a southern presidential candidate.
This is where Amaechi stands a better chance of pushing to be the presidential flag bearer of the ADC if the party’s primary or consensus arrangement favours him.
But if he (Amaechi) eventually emerges as the presidential standard bearer of the ADC; would Wike support him directly or indirectly to win the number one seat of the country? This is where the political turmoil that will emanate from the duo of Amaechi and Wike will throw Rivers State apart in 2027.
Wike will say, Amaechi did everything within his reach to stop him from becoming a governor in 2015 and will therefore use his influence at the federal level to pay Amaechi back.
It will also be in Wike’s calculation that if Amaechi emerges the president in 2027, Wike’s political influence will be relegated the way the Tinubu led-administration where Wike serves as minister is relegating Amaechi’s political relevance.
So, what Rivers State experienced during the 2yr political disagreement between Wike and Fubara will be peanut in comparison with what the state will go through if Amaechi becomes the presidential flag bearer of the ADC.
