FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has directly challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to name a single election he has won in the state since their political split in 2011. Wike spoke on Saturday at an interactive meeting with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council and local leaders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, held at Ekpeye House in Ahoada.
Wike Fires Back at Amaechi Over Electoral Record
The minister was responding to Amaechi's appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, during which the former Transport Minister criticised the Federal Government's record on project delivery and challenged the administration to name completed projects. As reported by Vanguard, Wike flipped the challenge back on his predecessor, asking those backing Amaechi to scrutinise his electoral track record.
"Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State," he said.
Questions Over $39m Hospital and N68bn Monorail
Wike also pressed Amaechi to account for $39 million reportedly paid to a contractor for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, a facility that was never completed. A Rivers State judicial commission set up during Wike's time as governor had investigated the payment of $39.2 million for the project.
Wike further asked what became of the N68 billion monorail scheme, another flagship infrastructure project from the Amaechi era. He also took aim at a malaria control programme carried out in partnership with Cuba. "Ask him about the fumigation of Rivers State with people from Cuba in which $10 million was spent. Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State," Wike told the gathering.
24 Years in Office, Nothing to Show — Wike
Wike questioned what Amaechi had delivered to Ekpeye communities during a combined 24 years across three senior public roles. The minister urged residents of Ahoada East and West to demand concrete evidence of projects and political empowerment from those seeking their support.
The former governor argued that genuine leadership is measured by what is built and who is lifted, not the offices held. Wike contrasted Amaechi's approach with what he described as the Tinubu administration's efforts to create regional development structures and appoint South-South figures to positions of authority.
Background: Amaechi Blames Tinubu for Mother's Death
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Wike fired back at Amaechi after the former governor linked his mother's death to President Tinubu's economic policies. Wike questioned how Amaechi, who spent 24 years in top political positions, could claim he could not afford medication for his mother. The minister also challenged Amaechi's comments about his late mother's happiness being tied to the ADC's performance in the 2027 election.
