The political rivalry between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi has escalated, with Wike challenging Amaechi to account for several projects initiated during his tenure. At a meeting with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council in Rivers State, Wike questioned the status of the $39million Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68billion monorail project, and the N10billion anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike criticised Amaechi for linking his mother's death to President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, and questioned his record as governor. He asked Amaechi to identify projects his administration initiated and completed during his eight-year tenure. Wike also recalled their past disagreements, including controversies surrounding appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
The FCT minister noted that his administration had instituted a judicial commission to investigate the payment of $39.2million to a contractor for the specialist hospital project, which was not completed. He demanded to know what happened to the funds committed to the project. Wike also questioned the fate of the monorail project, another major infrastructure scheme initiated by Amaechi's administration.
Wike dismissed the malaria initiative as a scam, stating that the programme had no tangible results. He asked if mosquitoes had stopped biting people in Rivers State after the alleged expenditure of $10 million on the fumigation programme. The minister challenged Amaechi's record, saying that despite holding top leadership positions for 24 years, he had not attracted any notable development to Ekpeye land.
Wike also questioned Amaechi's claims of political influence in Rivers State, asking supporters to examine his electoral record. He stated that since he left Amaechi in 2011, Amaechi had not won any election in Rivers State. The minister contrasted Amaechi's approach with the Tinubu administration's establishment of regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
The rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who was also the Minister of Transportation, has been ongoing. Wike was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi during his tenure as governor. The two have had public disagreements, including over appointments and business interests. Wike's challenge to Amaechi is seen as a move to assert his influence in Rivers State politics.
The development has sparked reactions from various stakeholders in Rivers State, with many calling for accountability from political leaders. The state's judicial commission's investigation into the specialist hospital project is ongoing. The outcome of Wike's challenge to Amaechi remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly heightened tensions in the state's politics.
Key points
- - Wike challenges Amaechi to account for $39m hospital, N68bn monorail, and N10bn malaria projects. - Wike questions Amaechi's record as governor and electoral performance. - The rivalry between Wike and Amaechi has been ongoing, with public disagreements over appointments and business interests.
