The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said a former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is unfit to serve as Nigeria’s vice president ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mr Wike made the remarks during a media chat on Wednesday when he accused African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate of previously using his political influence to oppress Nigerians.

According to the minister, Mr Amaechi once ordered the closure of courts in Rivers State, which forced a pregnant woman to give birth in prison, while questioning the moral standing of the former governor to potentially serve as a vice president. 

“Rotimi Amaechi, who wants to be Vice President today, once shut down the courts in Rivers State and caused a pregnant woman to give birth in prison,” Mr Wike stated.

Messrs Wike and Amaechi have long been at loggerheads over political control of Rivers State.

Speaking, Mr Wike also criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), declaring that the legal body had shifted from its core to become a de facto political party. 

“The Nigerian Bar Association has now taken sides politically. They are now a political party,” said the former Rivers State governor.

The NBA has regularly criticised the President Bola Tinubu’s administration over various controversial decisions, including the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State last year.