The Presidency and the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have launched scathing attacks on former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that only “mad people” would vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Amaechi, who was identified in the supplied report as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, made the controversial remarks at an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Edo State.
He reportedly declared that Edo people would be considered “mad” if they voted for Tinubu in 2027, insisting that the President should not win in the state if voters were not “mad.”
The remarks triggered sharp reactions from the Presidency and the Edo APC, with both accusing the former Minister of Transportation of making reckless political statements.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described Amaechi as a “known careless and irresponsible talker” and questioned his political relevance to the opposition ticket.
In an interview with a correspondent on Thursday evening, Ajayi criticised Amaechi’s previous comments about his late mother, arguing that his conduct had undermined his credibility.
“Somebody who weaponised the death of his own mother, there is no extent such a person cannot go in uttering balderdash and gibberish,” the presidential aide said.
Ajayi also challenged Amaechi’s explanation of the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death, questioning how the former governor could blame government policies for difficulties in purchasing medication while, according to him, spending heavily on his family and his mother’s burial.
The presidential aide further questioned Amaechi’s electoral record, citing his role as Director-General of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign organisation in the 2015 and 2019 elections.
He argued that Amaechi had failed to demonstrate sufficient electoral strength in Rivers State and the wider South-South region to justify his position on the opposition ticket.
“So what is his electoral value?” Ajayi asked, describing Amaechi as a “burden on Atiku’s ticket.”
He added that the former governor would struggle to deliver Rivers State or his region for the ADC in the next presidential election.
The Edo APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, also dismissed Amaechi’s remarks, insisting that voters in the state were politically informed and capable of making their own decisions.
He said the party would not dignify every controversial statement with a response, but maintained that Edo voters were not “mad” and understood the implications of their electoral choices.
“Edo people are not mad. Edo people have learned, very seasoned people who know the choices they make during elections,” Uwadiae-Igbinigie said.
He praised Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, arguing that ongoing infrastructure development in Edo State and the Federal Government’s reforms would strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
The APC spokesman also took a swipe at the ADC, describing it as a collection of politicians who had lost political relevance, while portraying the ruling party as a platform of experienced leaders.
Using a metaphor to drive home his argument, he asked why Edo voters would abandon the APC for the ADC.
“How can people leave an Iroko to vote for grass? ADC is made up of grass,” he said.
Uwadiae-Igbinigie insisted that Edo people would vote massively for Tinubu in 2027, claiming that the state had promised to deliver 2.5 million votes for the President.
He argued that the Federal Government’s support for projects and development in Edo State would influence voters to back Tinubu for another term.
Amaechi’s remarks have provided fresh ammunition for the Presidency and the Edo APC to question his political judgment, while the former governor’s comments have placed the ADC’s messaging under scrutiny.
Ultimately, the contest will be decided by voters at the polls, rather than by the increasingly heated exchanges between political leaders.
