Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to account for major projects and expenditures associated with his time in public office.
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Wike spoke on Saturday during an interactive meeting with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, as well as leaders and stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, at Ekpeye House in Ahoada.
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The FCT Minister was responding 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.
Wike turned the attention to Amaechi’s record in Rivers State, questioning the status of several projects and programmes initiated during his administration as governor.
He specifically raised questions over about $39 million reportedly paid towards the construction of the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and spending on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike questioned what happened to the funds committed to the specialist hospital after the project was left incomplete.
The controversy surrounding the hospital project dates back to the Amaechi administration. A judicial commission established by the Rivers State Government under Wike had investigated the payment of $39.2 million to a contractor for the project and the failure of the facility to materialise.
Wike also questioned the status of the Rivers State monorail, one of the major infrastructure projects started under Amaechi, and demanded an explanation of the money reportedly spent on the project.
He also raised questions about a malaria-control programme carried out in partnership with Cuba, alleging that about $10 million was spent on the initiative. Wike criticised the programme and questioned its impact on malaria and mosquito control in the state.
The FCT Minister said the records of political leaders should be examined based on projects delivered, people empowered and tangible structures left behind during their years in office.
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Wike also referred to Amaechi’s 24 years in senior public positions, covering eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and another eight years as Minister of Transportation.
He challenged residents of Ahoada East and West to assess what projects and political opportunities were brought to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.
The minister said political leadership should be measured beyond the positions held by an individual, arguing that the ability to empower others, deliver projects and create opportunities for political succession should also form part of the assessment.
Wike said he had sought to empower other people and create room for political successors, rather than prevent others from advancing.
He also criticised the use of personal and family tragedies in political disputes, arguing that disagreements among politicians should not extend to private grief or matters concerning the death of relatives.
The minister warned against using personal tragedies to generate political sympathy or attack opponents.
Wike further questioned claims about Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State by referring to his electoral record since their political relationship ended in 2011.
He also revisited some of the disagreements that have shaped their relationship, including disputes over appointments and interests connected to federal maritime agencies.
Wike contrasted those disputes with what he described as the Tinubu administration’s creation of regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
The latest exchange adds to the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who previously worked together in Rivers politics before becoming prominent political opponents.
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