The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to identify projects and political empowerment he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public office. Wike made this challenge during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. He questioned Amaechi's development legacy, who served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor, and Minister of Transportation.
Wike accused past political leaders of monopolizing power and failing to groom successors, insisting that leadership should be measured by its impact on the people and the structures established to sustain development after the leader leaves office. He emphasized that political officeholders should use their positions to empower others rather than prevent people from their communities from attaining leadership positions. Wike's comments were made in the presence of traditional and political leaders who expressed support for him and the political platform backing his preferred candidates.
The FCT minister took a direct swipe at Amaechi's record in public office, challenging his supporters to identify specific projects or initiatives he facilitated for the kingdom during his years in government. Wike asked, "Someone was Speaker of the House of Assembly for eight years, Governor for eight years, and Minister for eight years - that is 24 years in top leadership positions! What can anybody point to that he attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!"
Wike defended his political record, saying he was satisfied with what he had achieved and had no intention of returning to offices he had previously occupied. He reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, stressing that his priority was to contribute to sustainable leadership and the emergence of leaders capable of continuing the development process. Wike stated, "After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life."
The minister also emphasized that political leadership should be assessed by the quality of successors and institutions left behind, warning against a system in which progress depended entirely on one individual. He said, "What leadership, as you are leaving, what's the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case."
Wike urged his supporters not to place absolute confidence in human promises, saying their commitment should remain guided by faith and personal responsibility. He stated, "As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God... So, don't ever believe that a human being will not disappoint you. No matter the love you have, do the best you can do. If the person disappoints you, don't kill yourself. God will right the wrong."
The FCT minister recounted how his administration restructured the chieftaincy institution to ensure Evo Kingdom had adequate representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers. Traditional and political leaders, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of Evo Assembly, expressed support for Wike and the political platform backing his preferred candidates. Wike's comments were reported by Deborah Musa, a journalist at Punch Newspapers.
Key points
- Wike challenges Amaechi to identify projects and political empowerment he attracted during his 24 years in public office.
