The African Democratic Congress has challenged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s confidence over the 2027 election in Rivers State, insisting that the outcome will ultimately be determined by voters at the ballot box.

The Rivers State ADC Chairman, Chukwudi Dimkpa, made this known while reacting to Wike’s recent claim that ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi would be defeated by noon on election day.

Dimkpa dismissed the declaration, arguing that no politician could determine an election outcome before votes were cast and counted.

According to him, Rivers voters, rather than political heavyweights, will decide who emerges victorious in the 2027 elections.

“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,” Dimkpa said.

The ADC chairman also rejected the suggestion that the political contest in Rivers had already been settled, describing such confidence as misplaced.

The party’s position comes amid renewed political exchanges between Wike and the opposition ADC over the influence of Amaechi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike had repeatedly dismissed Amaechi’s ability to influence the outcome of elections in Rivers, while maintaining that the state remains firmly aligned with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

The ADC, however, argued that previous election results could not be used to predetermine the outcome of another election, stressing that political circumstances and voter preferences could change.

The opposition party has also accused Wike of spending too much time attacking politicians he claims have little electoral influence, saying his repeated attacks suggest concern over the strength of the opposition.

With the 2027 elections still months away, the escalating exchanges have placed Rivers State at the centre of the emerging battle for political influence ahead of the polls.