Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of failing to attract meaningful development or empower the people of Evo Kingdom despite spending 24 years in top public offices.
Speaking during an interactive meeting with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Wike said leadership should be measured by the impact it leaves on the people.
The FCT Minister challenged anyone to point to projects or political opportunities Amaechi brought to Evo Kingdom after serving as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor and Minister for a combined 24 years.
He 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 added, “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.”
The minister said true leadership is about raising new leaders and creating opportunities instead of concentrating power in one individual.
He also declared, “You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me.”
Wike said he has no further political ambition, stressing that God has blessed him with everything he desired in public service.
According to him, “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 urged politicians to trust God above human promises, saying, “As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God.”
Wike also recalled that his administration restructured the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers to give Evo Kingdom stronger representation, saying his government believed in fairness and inclusion.
The meeting ended with traditional rulers and political leaders from Evo Kingdom expressing support for President Bola Tinubu and other candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition ahead of future political contests.
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