Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State has challenged his predecessor and ex-minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi to account for major projects and expenditures expended during his administration.
Sunday Telegraph recall that Amaechi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, berated the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged the administration to name major projects it had completed.
In response to the allegations, Wike while speaking at an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, cast aspersions on record of his predecessor, questioning what became of several projects initiated under Amaechi.
Wike particularly raised alarm 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.
Wike also asked what became of the money committed to the hospital project after the facility was not completed.
It was gathered that 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 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.
According to him, such issues should be considered when assessing the records of political leaders seeking higher office.
Wike also challenged Amaechi’s record after spending eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and 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 Ahoada East Local Government Area or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” he said.
The minister 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 said leadership should not be measured only by the offices occupied but by the people empowered, projects delivered and structures left behind.
He contrasted this with what he described as his own efforts to empower people and develop political successors, saying leaders should not deliberately prevent others from rising.
Wike also criticised what he described as the use of personal and family tragedies for political purposes.
He said political disagreements should not descend into the exploitation of private grief, particularly matters surrounding the death of family members.
The minister warned against a political culture in which personal tragedies are deployed to gain sympathy or attack opponents.
Wike further challenged claims about Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, asking supporters to examine his electoral record.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” he said.
The minister also recalled their political relationship and past disagreements, including controversies surrounding appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
He contrasted what he described as Amaechi’s approach with the Tinubu administration’s establishment of regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
His latest comments 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.
