FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has launched a scathing attack against former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, labeling him a “lunatic,” accusing him of financial mismanagement during his tenure, and declaring him unfit to hold the presidency of Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday at his Life Camp residence in Abuja following a meeting with local council chairmen, Wike also alleged that the political motivations behind the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the FCT were aimed at destabilizing the government.
Wike’s comments came as a direct reaction to reports that Amaechi had characterized supporters of President Bola Tinubu as “thieves and insane.”
Challenging the former governor, Wike called on Amaechi to account publicly for a series of questionable transactions and infrastructure projects carried out during his administration in Rivers State.
Among the specific transactions Wike cited were the $308 million sale of a state-owned gas turbine, an alleged $39 million expenditure on a cassava flour processing plant, a $10 million allocation for a mosquito eradication project, and the ₦68 billion Rivers State monorail project.
The minister criticized media outlets for failing to thoroughly investigate these dealings, arguing that journalists have avoided rigorous scrutiny of the claims simply because they involve a prominent opposition politician.
Furthermore, Wike urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene against what he termed inflammatory campaign discourse, emphasizing that politicians should focus on policy issues rather than personal attacks.
He added that Amaechi’s reported characterization of President Tinubu’s supporters rendered him unsuitable for national leadership.
Amaechi may face difficulty campaigning in Rivers
The FCT minister further cautioned that if Amaechi kept making such remarks, he could have trouble running for office in Rivers State.
“If he continues this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers,” Wike said, adding that the former governor should withdraw the comments.
The minister responded to the proposed indefinite strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by characterizing the NLC’s decision as political and insisting that the action was not justified due to the conflict between the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the FCT Administration.
He stated that while the issue pertaining to directors was an institution matter outside the purview of local education authorities to change, concerns pertaining to teacher promotions were being addressed.
Wike warned that the administration will impose the “no work, no pay” policy on employees who took part in the strike and instructed local council chairmen to call civil officials and teachers back to work.
Backstory…
The latest exchange between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi follows weeks of escalating political attacks ahead of the 2027 elections.
In September, Wike said Rivers voters would repay Amaechi for supporting Muhammadu Buhari against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, arguing that Amaechi had turned against his South-South political base.
Wike also questioned what Amaechi achieved for Rivers during his eight years as governor and eight years as transport minister. On October 2, he challenged Amaechi to account for his 24 years in public office. The dispute intensified after Amaechi reportedly described Tinubu’s supporters as “thieves and mad people,” prompting Wike’s latest attack on his presidential ambitions.
Read Also: 2027-Wike Vows to Pay Amaechi Back for Supporting Buhari in 2015
