The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has claimed that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has lost over 70% of his political followers in the state. The Secretary of the State APC Caretaker Committee, Eric Nwibani, made this assertion during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
According to Nwibani, Amaechi, a former Governor of the state, not only lost his support base but also failed to secure victory in three consecutive election cycles from 2015 to 2023. Despite serving as a minister and being a key member of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s kitchen cabinet as a two-time Director General of Buhari’s Presidential Campaigns, Amaechi’s political influence has dwindled.
Nwibani’s response came after Amaechi claimed that those who left him to work with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, did so out of hunger. Nwibani urged Amaechi to reflect on why generations of followers have been leaving his political camp instead of resorting to insults and accusations.
The APC secretary further criticized Amaechi, citing an incident during President Buhari’s presidential campaign rally in 2019, where 16 people died due to a stampede. Nwibani claimed that Amaechi had promised to assist the families of the deceased but failed to fulfill his commitment, exposing what he believes to be the former governor’s leadership shortcomings.
Nwibani questioned Amaechi’s ability to win future elections, given his failure to secure victory while serving as a minister. He also refuted Amaechi’s claim that those working with Wike are hungry, highlighting that many of them have successful careers and are not motivated by hunger.
In conclusion, Nwibani criticized Amaechi’s bitterness and ineffective leadership, pointing out that losing three consecutive elections and running the party aground is not a basis for expecting continued support.
The APC is currently studying a court judgment that affirmed the 27 Pro-Wike lawmakers as members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, stated that they would obey or appeal the decision based on legal advice.
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