A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has declared Ikwerre Local Government Area a difficult political terrain for former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Chibuike Amaechi, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Dike said Amaechi should not expect an easy political battle in Ikwerre or elsewhere in Rivers, insisting that the political equation in the state had changed significantly.

The lawyer made the assertion on Saturday in a commentary posted on his Facebook page, Princewill Dike Platform.

“Amaechi is fully aware of the political realities in Ikwerre and Rivers State, and should not expect an easy victory in the state during the next general elections,” he said.

The human rights activist argued that Amaechi’s past political influence and access to federal structures did not translate into electoral victory in Rivers State, questioning what would be different in 2027.

He said the emergence of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had fundamentally altered political calculations in the state, particularly around federal influence and grassroots political structures.

“Whether Amaechi, who could not secure victory despite enjoying considerable federal backing in the past, will now be able to defeat the political structure associated with Wike remains doubtful,” Dike said.

He maintained that the changing political dynamics had made Ikwerre LGA a particularly difficult battleground for Amaechi, warning that “the political realities on the ground should not be underestimated by anyone planning for 2027.”

Dike further predicted the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the Rivers political coalition associated with the FCT Minister.

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He said, “Amaechi, who couldn’t win with his federal might, battalion of soldiers and INEC in his beck and call, is it now that the political wonder boy of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is in charge of the federal might and everything incidental thereto, that he (Amaechi) will win? Abeg, tell me something else jari?”

Quoting the scripture, Dike added: “What seest thou? I see P-BAT re-elected, OK Chinda and all the Rivers coalition candidates elected”.

The philanthropist said the political tide was already taking shape in Rivers, insisting that the strength of the emerging alliances and political structures would ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 elections. (The Nation)