FCT Minister Alleges Party Structure Was Tailored for Atiku, Questions Transparency of Primary Process
By John Ishaku / June 1,2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing critique of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, describing former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi’s decision to contest under the party’s platform as a major political miscalculation.
Wike’s comments come amid growing controversy surrounding the ADC presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election, with allegations of manipulation, lack of transparency, and internal discontent threatening to cast a shadow over the opposition party’s unity.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the former Rivers State governor said he foresaw the outcome of the contest from the moment he observed the party’s leadership structure and composition.
According to Wike, the ADC’s internal arrangements appeared designed from the outset to favour Atiku’s emergence, leaving little room for a genuinely competitive and transparent contest.
Wike: “I Saw It Coming”
Despite years of political rivalry between the two Rivers political heavyweights, Wike described Amaechi as a “brother” and recalled serving as Chief of Staff during Amaechi’s tenure as governor.
The FCT Minister said he would have advised Amaechi against entering the race had the former governor sought his opinion.
“Amaechi is my brother. I served as Chief of Staff in his government. When I saw that he was running with them, I knew what would happen. If he had called me, I would have said, ‘Don’t go there.’ It was very clear he would not get transparency or due process,” Wike stated.
Political observers note that Wike’s remarks reflect deep skepticism about coalition politics ahead of the 2027 elections and underscore the widening divisions within opposition ranks seeking to challenge the ruling establishment.
David Mark’s Emergence Raised Red Flags, Says Wike
At the centre of Wike’s criticism is the role of former Senate President David Mark, whose emergence as chairman within the ADC structure was, according to the minister, an indication that the outcome of the presidential primary had effectively been predetermined.
Wike argued that experienced politicians could easily decipher the political calculations behind the party’s leadership arrangement.
“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 setup was Atiku’s setup one hundred per cent,” he declared.
The minister further questioned whether any contestant could realistically expect a free and fair process under such circumstances.
“You cannot set a trap for me. We know ourselves as politicians. Who told you that kind of structure would give you transparency? Who told you that kind of structure would give you free and fair elections?” he asked.
Amaechi’s Defeat Sparks Fresh Debate
The ADC primary has triggered fresh debates over internal democracy within political parties and the credibility of primary election processes in Nigeria.
Wike argued that Amaechi may have been persuaded to join the coalition movement by widespread public dissatisfaction with the current administration.
According to him, some political actors leveraged criticisms of government performance to attract influential figures into the ADC project and bolster its credibility.
“I think my brother made a mistake. He was too much in a hurry. He was carried away by people shouting that this government is not doing well. They used that to lure people in and give themselves credibility,” Wike said.
Political analysts believe the remarks reflect broader concerns about whether opposition coalitions are genuinely committed to internal democracy or merely vehicles for advancing predetermined political ambitions.
Echoes of the PDP 2022 Presidential Primary
Wike also revisited grievances from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary in 2022, where he contested against Atiku Abubakar.
The minister accused David Mark of failing to ensure fairness during that contest, suggesting that his recent role in the ADC followed a familiar pattern.
The comments add another layer to the long-running political tensions between Wike and Atiku, whose rivalry has significantly shaped opposition politics since the 2023 general elections.
Amaechi Rejects ADC Primary Outcome
Wike’s criticism comes days after Amaechi publicly rejected the results of the ADC presidential primary.
The former Rivers governor described the exercise as “concocted” and alleged that the process failed to meet the standards of transparency and fairness promised by the party.
In a statement posted on his social media platform before the official declaration of results, Amaechi claimed that numerous party members were prevented from voting.
He argued that such practices undermined the democratic principles upon which the ADC was founded and called into question the legitimacy of the outcome.
The allegations have fueled calls for greater scrutiny of political party primaries, which many governance experts identify as a weak link in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Atiku Secures Landslide Victory
Despite the controversy, the ADC officially declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as winner of the presidential primary.
According to figures released by the party:
- Atiku Abubakar polled 1,846,370 votes.
- Rotimi Amaechi secured 504,117 votes.
- Businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen finished third with 177,120 votes.
The wide margin of victory has further intensified debate among political observers over the competitiveness and transparency of the process.
Reconciliation Moves Begin as ADC Seeks Unity
Amid growing tensions within the party, Atiku has reportedly commenced reconciliation efforts aimed at healing divisions created by the primary contest.
Sources within the ADC confirmed that the former vice president has separately met with Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in a bid to foster unity and prevent defections ahead of the 2027 general election campaign.
Political strategists say the success of those reconciliation efforts could prove crucial to the ADC’s ability to present a united front in what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested presidential elections.
Opposition Coalition Faces Early Test
The controversy surrounding the ADC primary highlights the broader challenges confronting opposition alliances in Nigeria.
While coalition politics remains a key strategy for challenging incumbents, analysts warn that internal disputes, allegations of manipulation, and leadership struggles could weaken public confidence and undermine electoral prospects.
As the race toward 2027 gathers momentum, the ability of political parties to demonstrate transparency, inclusiveness, and internal democracy may become as important as their campaign promises.
Nyesom Wike’s criticism of the ADC presidential primary has added a new dimension to the unfolding political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections. His assertion that Rotimi Amaechi was drawn into a process allegedly structured to favour Atiku Abubakar raises fresh questions about internal party democracy, transparency, and political trust within opposition ranks.
With Amaechi challenging the credibility of the primary and Atiku moving to unite aggrieved stakeholders, the ADC now faces the difficult task of balancing reconciliation with public demands for accountability. How the party manages these tensions may significantly influence its chances in the battle for Nigeria’s highest office in 2027.
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