Says leadership must produce successors, development — Reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to account for the projects and political empowerment he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in top public offices.
Wike, who spoke during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, questioned what he described as the tangible legacy left by Amaechi after serving eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.
The FCT Minister said political leadership should not be about monopolising power but about developing people, creating opportunities and grooming successors who can sustain progress after the leader leaves office.
Taking a direct swipe at his predecessor, Wike said: “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 Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!”
Wike contrasted Amaechi’s record, as he presented it, with his own stint as Minister of State for Education, saying he could identify projects he attracted to Rivers State during his time in the Federal Executive Council.
“I was a Minister of State for Education, and as I sit here, I can count the projects I brought to Rivers State and my people. But somebody was Speaker, Governor, and headed a very lucrative ministry as a full Minister for eight years, yet brought nothing back home!” he said.
The minister also questioned why a political leader would prevent others from attaining positions he had previously occupied, arguing that leadership should create room for others to rise.
“Because how will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came up for you to help, for you to uplift them? But because of your greed, because of your selfishness, you don’t want anybody to reach the level you are,” Wike said.
“You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me,” he added.
Wike said he had no further personal ambition to return to positions he had previously occupied, stressing that his priority was to serve as a vehicle for developing people and building sustainable political leadership.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life,” he said.
“I can’t be a governor again. I’ve been a minister two times. I cannot be chairman of council again. So I am happy. I don’t have anything to lose.”
He said leaders should be judged not only by what they achieved while in office but also by the calibre of successors and institutions they leave behind.
“What leadership, as you are leaving, what’s the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case,” he said.
On political relationships and uncertainties, Wike urged his supporters not to place absolute trust in human promises, saying politicians should remain focused on their responsibilities and leave the outcome to God.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” he declared.
He also recalled the restructuring of the traditional institution during his tenure as Rivers State governor, saying the move ensured adequate representation for Evo Kingdom on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Wike further dismissed suggestions that political or traditional considerations could intimidate him, maintaining that he would remain committed to his political convictions.
At the meeting, traditional and political leaders, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of the Evo Assembly, expressed support for President Bola Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest exchange adds to the continuing political differences between Wike and Amaechi as political alignments take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
