…Challenges ex-Rivers governor to explain alleged $39m project, other expenditures
…Warns against inflammatory rhetoric ahead of 2027 elections
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address alleged inflammatory remarks attributed to former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over supporters of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Friday during a meeting with chairmen of the six FCT area councils, accused the electoral umpire of failing to respond to comments allegedly made by Amaechi, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, describing Tinubu’s supporters as thieves and mentally unstable.
The FCT minister said such remarks were inappropriate for a politician aspiring to national leadership, insisting that campaigns should focus on policies, programmes and governance rather than personal attacks on voters.
“This is supposedly a vice-presidential candidate of a political party seeking to take over power and preside over the affairs of this country,” Wike said.
He urged INEC to take its responsibility for monitoring political campaigns seriously, particularly where allegations of inflammatory rhetoric could heighten political tensions.
Wike also criticised sections of the media for what he described as inadequate scrutiny of Amaechi’s record as Rivers State governor, challenging the former governor to explain several projects and financial transactions associated with his administration.
Among the issues he raised were an alleged $39 million cassava-waste processing project, a reported $10 million mosquito-fumigation exercise, a ₦68 billion monorail project and the reported sale of a state-owned gas turbine valued at $308 million.
The minister questioned the outcomes of the projects and demanded explanations about the expenditure of public funds, arguing that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability from former public officeholders.
He also referred to a judicial panel of inquiry that reportedly indicted Amaechi, urging journalists to examine the panel’s findings and subsequent legal proceedings.
However, the allegations and financial figures were raised by Wike during his remarks and were not independently verified in the account of the meeting. The minister did not present documentary evidence at the meeting to substantiate the claims.
Wike accused sections of the media of applying different standards when reporting allegations involving opposition figures and members of the ruling establishment.
He maintained that politicians seeking public office should be subjected to scrutiny over their records, policies and public statements, regardless of their political affiliations.
The FCT minister further warned that Amaechi’s reported comments could generate political tension in Rivers State if repeated during election campaigns.
Wike said his supporters would resist what he described as insults against Tinubu and Nigerians who voted for the President.
The remarks come as political parties and their potential candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with campaign rhetoric, governance records and accountability expected to feature prominently in political debates.
Amaechi’s response to the allegations was not available at the time of filing this report.
