The African Democratic Congress has cautioned politicians in Rivers State against believing they can secure victory in the 2027 elections through boasting, intimidation or empty promises to the people.
The Rivers State Chairman of the ADC, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made the remarks in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Dimkpa was responding to remarks attributed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a civic reception held in his honour by the Ikwerre Local Government Area at Omagwa on Saturday.
Wike was quoted as saying that Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC vice-presidential candidate, would be defeated by 12 noon on election day.
But Dimkpa dismissed the assertion, insisting that Wike’s confidence about Amaechi’s defeat by midday on election day was of little consequence.
“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”, he said.
Dimkpa also criticised the timing and circumstances surrounding the political event, noting that it took place on the same day Amaechi was burying his mother.
“On a day when Rotimi Amaechi was burying his mother and people from across Nigeria were travelling to Ubima, his hometown to commiserate with the family, Wike and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (Charles Wobodo) chose that same route and occasion for a political reception, obstructing part of the road, creating unnecessary traffic and then turning the event into a platform for attacking and taunting a man who was mourning his mother.
“It was insensitive, provocative and embarrassing”, Dimkpa stated.
The ADC chairman said political activities should have limits, particularly during moments that call for compassion and humanity.
He said, “if Wike could not suspend his political obsession with Amaechi even for the few hours in which the man was laying his mother to rest, then Rivers people should ask themselves who really is consumed by this rivalry.”
He added, “We refused to dignify the provocation with a response that is because our attention was on giving Mama (Dame Ezinne Amaechi) a befitting burial..
“But Wike should understand that Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody owns the people, nobody owns their votes, and certainly, nobody can declare an election result by 12 noon”.
Dimkpa urged Rivers residents not to succumb to intimidation or pressure from any political figure.
He called on voters to make informed decisions in the 2027 elections and elect leaders with the credibility and capacity to positively impact their lives.