Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary was structured as a “set-up” favouring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, leaving former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi with no realistic chance of victory.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike stated that the composition of the ADC leadership, particularly the emergence of former Senate President David Mark in a key role, made the outcome predictable.
“When I saw the setup in ADC and saw David Mark there, I laughed. When you have worked with these people, you know who is who and what they are capable of doing. That set-up was Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister revealed that had Amaechi consulted him before joining the race, he would have strongly advised against it.
“If Amaechi had called me, I would have told him not to run under the ADC because I saw the set-up. You cannot set a trap for me. We know ourselves as politicians. Who told you that kind of structure will give you transparency or free and fair election?”
Wike described Amaechi’s participation as a mistake driven by haste and external noise, emphasizing that the party’s arrangement lacked the due process needed for a credible contest. Atiku Abubakar eventually emerged as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
This revelation has intensified discussions around opposition coalition strategies and internal party dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.