FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, barely days after the former governor criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Amaechi had recently blamed the rising cost of medicines under the Tinubu administration for making his late mother’s healthcare difficult, saying, “My mother was healthy!” and arguing that the high cost of drugs affected many Nigerian families.
Responding during an interactive meeting with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike questioned Amaechi’s own record in public office, despite serving as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and minister.
Wike challenged the people of Evo Kingdom to identify any major project or political empowerment Amaechi attracted to the area during his 24 years in influential positions.
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!”
The FCT Minister said leadership should be judged by the ability to develop communities, raise new leaders and create opportunities for others to succeed.
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.”
He accused some political leaders of holding on to power without building a lasting legacy, saying true leadership should continue even after a leader leaves office.
“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.
The former Rivers governor also declared that he had no further political ambition, saying, “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.”
Wike said politicians should place their trust in God rather than human promises, stressing, “As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God.”
The latest exchange adds a new chapter to the long-running political rivalry between the two former Rivers governors, with their disagreements now extending from state politics to national issues surrounding the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms.
