Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to account for major projects and expenditures undertaken during his time in public office.
Wike spoke on Saturday while addressing the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, leaders and stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas at Ekpeye House, Ahoada, Rivers State.
The minister was reacting to comments made by Amaechi during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, where the former governor criticised the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged the administration to identify major projects it had completed.
Turning the spotlight on Amaechi’s record in Rivers State, Wike questioned the status of several projects and programmes initiated under the former governor’s administration.
He specifically demanded explanations over the reported $39.2 million payment for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and the expenditure on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike asked what became of the funds reportedly committed to the specialist hospital after the project failed to materialise.
The controversy surrounding the hospital project dates back to the Amaechi administration, with a judicial commission established by the Wike administration investigating the reported payment to a contractor and the failure to complete the project.
The FCT Minister also questioned the fate of the Rivers State monorail project, one of the major infrastructure initiatives commenced during Amaechi’s tenure.
On the anti-malaria programme, Wike specifically referred to a project implemented with Cuban partners, alleging that $10 million was spent on fumigation to control mosquitoes in the state.
“Ask him about the fumigation of Rivers State with people from Cuba in which $10 million was spent. Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State,” Wike said.
Wike said such issues should form part of the assessment of the records of politicians seeking higher political responsibilities.
He also questioned Amaechi’s record after the former governor spent eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and eight years as Minister of Transportation.
“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 Ekpeye Land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.
He urged residents of Ahoada East and West to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public service.
According to Wike, leadership should be measured by the people empowered, projects delivered and institutions or structures established, rather than merely by the offices held.
The minister also highlighted what he described as his own efforts to empower people and create opportunities for others to rise politically, arguing that political leaders should not deliberately frustrate the emergence of others.
Wike further criticised the use of personal and family tragedies in political disputes, urging politicians to keep private grief and family matters away from political attacks.
He also questioned claims about Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, challenging his supporters to point to elections the former governor had won in the state since their political relationship broke down.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” he said.
Wike also revisited aspects of his longstanding political disagreements with Amaechi, including disputes over appointments and interests involving federal maritime agencies.
He contrasted the approach with what he described as the Tinubu administration’s efforts to establish regional development structures and make appointments reflecting the interests of the South-South region.
The latest exchange further underscores the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who were once political allies before emerging as prominent opponents in Rivers State politics.
