Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make public the long-suppressed forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alleging that the document will expose how former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s wife mismanaged over N4 billion meant to empower women in the region.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Wike launched a blistering counterattack against his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, who recently demanded respect on the basis of seniority and experience.
“I call on Mr President to release the NDDC forensic audit report so Nigerians will see how Amaechi’s wife spent N4 billion supposedly for training Niger Delta women. Let her come out and tell Nigerians where the money went,” Wike declared.
He alleged that the controversial audit, which was ordered years ago to uncover widespread mismanagement in the NDDC, was buried by former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami to protect vested interests.
“It was Malami who suppressed that report. That’s how Amaechi’s wife became an ‘industrialist’ overnight — by handling billions meant for the people. Four billion every month, training women — where are the women today?” he asked.
Responding to Amaechi’s claim of seniority and demands for respect, Wike dismissed such assertions as hollow.
“You earn respect through integrity and what you deliver for your people, not because you are 200 years old or because you were governor before me,” he fired back.
Wike recalled his own political journey, stressing that he rose on merit long before he ever met Amaechi.
“In 1998, I contested for and won the Obio/Akpor Local Government chairmanship — one of Nigeria’s most prominent councils. I didn’t know Rotimi Amaechi then. So who is senior to who?” he said.
The Minister accused Amaechi of dragging his wife’s name into politics to score cheap points.
“When did your wife become an industrialist? Selling goods doesn’t make you an industrialist. If you truly love your wife, why expose her to this ridicule? I respect my wife too much to use her as a political tool,” Wike stated.
He also tackled opposition voices boasting of a new coalition strong enough to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.
“They claim there’s a coalition that will sweep Tinubu and the APC out of power. By who? The same people who had the chance to fix Nigeria but failed to deliver even a kilometre of road in their villages? Nigerians know better now,” he said.
The FCT Minister insisted the current administration’s focus is clear: deliver visible projects that touch real lives.
“While they plot coalitions and gossip on TV, we are building roads, terminals, schools, hospitals. Let them bring their own scorecards — not empty promises and noise,” he said.
Wike concluded by warning Nigerians to be wary of recycled politicians promising change they failed to deliver when they had power.
“It’s time to ask hard questions. What did they do with all their chances? Show Nigerians your record — not more slogans and propaganda,” he said.
He urged President Tinubu to prove his commitment to transparency by making the full NDDC audit report public.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth and the truth will speak for itself,” Wike declared.
