Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to name a single election he has won in the state since the duo fell out in 2011.
Wike threw the challenge while speaking at 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 of Rivers State.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” Wike said.
The FCT minister was reacting to Amaechi’s recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where the former Minister of Transportation criticised the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged the administration to identify major projects it had completed.
Wike turned the challenge towards his former political ally, urging Amaechi’s supporters to examine his electoral record since their political relationship broke down.
The minister also questioned Amaechi over some major projects initiated during his tenure as Rivers governor, particularly the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the Rivers State monorail.
Wike asked what happened to the $39 million reportedly paid to a contractor for the hospital project, which was never completed. He also questioned the fate of the N68 billion monorail project.
A judicial commission set up by the Rivers State Government under Wike had previously investigated the payment of $39.2 million to a contractor in connection with the hospital project and its failure to materialise.
Wike also criticised a malaria control initiative involving Cuban personnel, describing the project as a scam.
“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,” he said.
The FCT minister further challenged Amaechi’s record in public office, noting that he spent eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and minister.
“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!” he said.
Wike urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.
According to him, leadership should be assessed not simply by the offices held but by the projects delivered, people empowered and structures left behind.
He also highlighted his own approach to political empowerment and succession, arguing that leaders should create opportunities for others to rise rather than deliberately block them.
The minister further criticised the use of personal and family tragedies in political disputes, saying disagreements should not degenerate into the exploitation of private grief.
Wike also recalled his long-standing relationship with Amaechi and the political disagreements that eventually divided them, including disputes involving appointments and interests connected to federal maritime agencies.
He contrasted those experiences with what he described as the Tinubu administration’s approach to regional development and appointments involving people from the South-South.
The latest exchange adds to the long-running political confrontation between Wike and Amaechi, two former allies whose relationship has since become one of the most pronounced political rivalries in Rivers State.
