The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to explain the fate of several major projects and billions of naira spent during his administration.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, political leaders and stakeholders from Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State.
His reaction followed Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where the former Minister of Transportation questioned the Federal Government’s record on project delivery.
Responding, Wike asked Amaechi to account for the reported $39 million paid for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and about $10 million allegedly spent on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
He said, “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 also questioned why the specialist hospital was not completed despite the huge amount reportedly committed to the project.
He further challenged Amaechi’s legacy after serving eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and another eight years as Minister of Transportation.
According to him, “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 Ekpeye Land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!”
The FCT minister urged residents of Ahoada East and West to judge political leaders by the projects they delivered, the people they empowered and the lasting impact they left behind.
He maintained that true leadership should create opportunities for others instead of preventing new leaders from emerging.
Wike also criticised the use of personal and family tragedies for political battles, saying public disagreements should not be turned into attacks over private grief.
The exchange is the latest in the long-running political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, with both leaders again trading accusations over their records in Rivers State as political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
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