By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has backed Senator Magnus Abe’s call on former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to quit his consideration of the running mate of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the South must retain the presidency until 2031.
Abe had challenged Amaechi to respect his previous position on power rotation between the North and South, arguing that supporting Atiku would contradict the principle he had previously advocated.
Senator Magnus Abe made the call on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the official unveiling of candidates of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition.
Abe delivered a goodwill message at the gathering, where he urged Rotimi Amaechi to resign as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate over the issue of power rotation.
The two political leaders spoke during the official unveiling of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, where Wike, the coalition’s leader, also rallied political stakeholders behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Abe said the South should retain the presidency in 2027, maintaining that political leaders must uphold the principle of rotation to ensure fairness and stability in the country.
He recalled Amaechi’s previous position that presidential power should rotate between the North and South, arguing that his reported alignment with Atiku was inconsistent with that position.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” Abe said.
He also urged Atiku to respect the principle of power rotation, declaring his support for Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition.
Similarly, Wike criticized opposition political figures over their political positions and called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country to support Tinubu, irrespective of their party affiliations.
“Every PDP member in Rivers State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike declared.
He extended the appeal to PDP members in Ondo, Ogun, and other states, insisting that political differences should not prevent leaders from supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The FCT minister also questioned Atiku’s political consistency and criticised Amaechi over his record as Rivers State governor between 2007 and 2015, revisiting promises made during his administration on malaria prevention and other development-related issues.
Wike further raised allegations concerning the management of funds during Amaechi’s tenure, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings.
He maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was committed to uniting politicians from different parties behind Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.
Wike also urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting tension in the state, stressing the need for cooperation and peaceful political engagement.
The event brought together Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Abe, and other political leaders and candidates from different parties under the coalition’s platform.
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