The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, challenging him to account for major projects and expenditures incurred during his administration. Wike made these remarks during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. This public response comes after Amaechi criticised the Federal Government's record of project delivery.
Wike specifically raised questions over the $39 million reportedly paid for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project, and about N10 billion allegedly spent on an anti-malaria fumigation programme. He asked what became of the money committed to the hospital project after the facility was not completed. A Rivers State judicial commission set up under Wike had investigated the payment of $39.2 million to a contractor for the project and its failure to materialise.
The FCT Minister also questioned the fate of the monorail project, which was among the major infrastructure schemes initiated by the Amaechi administration, as well as the expenditure on the fumigation programme. Wike stated that such issues should be considered when assessing the records of political leaders seeking higher office. He challenged Amaechi's record after spending eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor, and Minister of Transportation.
Wike criticised Amaechi's 24-year tenure in top leadership positions, saying that nothing could be pointed to as a project or political empowerment attracted to Ahoada East Local Government Area or Rivers State. He urged the people of Ahoada East Local Government Area to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi's years in public office. Wike emphasised that leadership should not be measured only by the offices occupied but by the people empowered, projects delivered, and structures left behind.
The minister contrasted his approach with Amaechi's, describing his own efforts to empower people and develop political successors. He warned against a political culture in which personal tragedies are deployed to gain sympathy or attack opponents. Wike criticised the use of personal and family tragedies for political purposes, particularly matters surrounding the death of family members.
Wike further challenged claims about Amaechi's political influence in Rivers State, asking supporters to examine his electoral record. He mentioned that since he left Amaechi in 2011, Amaechi had not won any election in Rivers State. The minister also recalled their political relationship and past disagreements, including controversies surrounding appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
The latest comments from Wike deepen the long-running political feud between the two former Rivers leaders, who once worked together before becoming major political rivals. Amaechi served as governor from 2007 to 2015, while Wike succeeded him and served as governor from 2015 to 2023. Amaechi is also the Vice Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key points
- Wike challenges Amaechi to account for $39m hospital and N68bn Monorail projects.
- The two former Rivers leaders have a long-running political feud.
- Wike criticises Amaechi's 24-year tenure in top leadership positions.
