The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a loser and insisting that he would never become Nigeria’s president.
Wike made the remarks in Abuja on Friday after meeting with FCT area council chairmen. He was responding to comments attributed to Amaechi, who reportedly said that only “thieves and mad people” would vote for President Bola Tinubu.
The minister condemned the statement, describing it as an insult to Tinubu’s supporters. He challenged Amaechi to explain his handling of public funds and projects during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
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Wike also questioned Amaechi’s suitability for the presidency and criticised the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly allowing politicians to engage in what he considered inappropriate campaign rhetoric.
He warned that Amaechi could encounter opposition if he attempted to campaign in Rivers State while continuing to make disparaging remarks about Tinubu’s supporters.
“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers State. We will make it difficult for him.
“You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free,” Wike said.
The FCT minister further urged journalists to question Amaechi about projects and financial transactions carried out under his administration in Rivers State.
Among the issues he raised was the $39 million Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital project, which he alleged was fully paid for despite the facility never being constructed.
Wike also questioned a reported $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban company to tackle mosquitoes, describing the exercise as an unnecessary expenditure of public funds.
He additionally cited the abandoned N68 billion Port Harcourt monorail project as another example of what he said raised concerns about Amaechi’s record in office.
The minister also revisited the sale of Rivers State’s gas turbine power assets, alleging that the $308 million proceeds from the transaction had not been properly accounted for.
“He was indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and lost his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,” Wike said.
Wike accused the media of providing Amaechi with a platform to criticise Tinubu and his supporters without adequately questioning him about the allegations surrounding projects and transactions undertaken during his time as governor.
