Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to name an election he has won in the state since their political split.
Wike made the challenge during an interactive meeting with leaders and stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas. The meeting took place at Ekpeye House in Ahoada East.
The minister also questioned Amaechi over several projects linked to his years in public office. He specifically raised questions about the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the Rivers State monorail project.
Wike’s comments followed Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. During the programme, the former transportation minister criticised the Federal Government’s record on project delivery.
For related coverage of Wike’s political activities, read Wike Responds to Uzodimma, Defends Rainbow Coalition Support for Tinubu.
Wike Questions Amaechi’s Electoral Record
Wike challenged Amaechi’s supporters to examine his electoral record since their relationship broke down in 2011. He asked them to identify an election Amaechi had won in Rivers State since then.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” Wike said.
The statement was part of Wike’s wider criticism of his former political ally. The two politicians have remained on opposing sides of several political disputes since their relationship deteriorated.
Wike also urged residents to assess politicians based on their records and contributions. He said public office should be connected to measurable projects and empowerment.
The latest exchange adds to the political disagreements between the former Rivers governor and his successor. Their differences have continued to feature in political discussions in the state.
For another report on political activity ahead of 2027, see Tinubu Moves to Define Wike’s Role as FCT, Rivers Campaign Coordinator.
Wike Raises Questions Over Hospital Project
Wike also asked Amaechi to account for money reportedly committed to the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital. He questioned what happened to the funds after the project was not completed.
According to Wike, $39.2 million was paid to a contractor for the hospital project. He referred to a judicial commission established by his administration to investigate the payment and the project’s failure to materialise.
The minister raised the issue while challenging Amaechi to account for projects from his years in government. He argued that residents should examine what happened to major projects initiated during previous administrations.
Wike did not present the hospital issue as an isolated matter. He linked it to his broader argument about assessing the records of politicians who have held senior public positions.
The Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital has remained part of discussions about unfinished projects from the period. Wike has previously used the project when questioning Amaechi’s record as governor.
For another report involving accountability and public spending, read SERAP Demands Answers From INEC Over ₦126bn Missing Electoral Funds.
Wike Questions Rivers Monorail Project
The FCT minister also raised questions about the Rivers State monorail project. He asked what happened to the infrastructure scheme initiated during Amaechi’s administration.
Wike cited the project while discussing Amaechi’s record in government. He questioned the status of major projects associated with the former governor.
The monorail was one of the major infrastructure projects started under Amaechi when he served as Rivers governor. Wike used its unfinished status as part of his criticism during the Ahoada meeting.
His comments came after Amaechi criticised the Federal Government over project delivery. Wike responded by asking his predecessor to account for projects associated with his own time in office.
The exchange reflects the continuing political disagreement between the two former Rivers State leaders. Both have held several senior public offices at the state and federal levels.
For related political coverage, read Presidency Challenges Peter Obi Over Anambra Debt Claims, Demands Follow-Through on Campaign Pledge.
Wike Criticises Cuba Malaria Project
Wike also questioned the outcome of a malaria control project involving Cuba. He alleged that $10 million was spent on the initiative during Amaechi’s administration.
The minister dismissed the project and asked whether it had stopped mosquitoes from biting residents. His comment formed part of his broader criticism of projects associated with Amaechi.
“Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State,” Wike said. He was referring to the malaria control programme during the Ahoada meeting.
The claim about the project was made by Wike during his address. The supplied report does not provide an independent assessment of the programme’s spending or outcome.
Wike’s criticism therefore centred on what he described as the lack of visible results from some projects. He urged residents to consider such issues when assessing political records.
For another report involving public projects and development, see RMAFC Seeks Chinese Investment to Boost Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Revenue.
Wike Says Amaechi Had 24 Years in Public Office
Wike also highlighted Amaechi’s long period in public office. He said Amaechi spent eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and another eight years as minister.
“That is 24 years in top leadership positions,” Wike said. He then questioned what residents could point to as major achievements linked to Amaechi in Ekpeye Land.
Wike claimed that Amaechi had not attracted a significant project or empowerment initiative to the area during those years. He challenged residents to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment.
The comments formed part of Wike’s argument that political leaders should be assessed by their records. He said holding office should produce tangible benefits for the communities represented.
The minister also presented his own approach to political leadership during the meeting. He said leaders should empower others and help create opportunities for people to advance.
For another report on political leadership and community development, read Nara Residents Rally Behind Ogbuekwe as APC Takes Mbah’s Development Message to Wards.
Wike Talks About Political Empowerment
Wike said leadership should involve empowering people and developing political successors. He argued that politicians should not deliberately prevent others from rising.
He contrasted this approach with what he described as political efforts to limit the progress of others. However, these characterisations were part of Wike’s comments at the meeting.
The minister also spoke about his previous relationship with Amaechi. He referenced disagreements over appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
Their political relationship has changed significantly since Wike served in the Rivers State Government under Amaechi. The disagreement has since become one of the recurring themes in Rivers State politics.
Wike’s latest comments again placed their political history at the centre of his criticism. He used that history while challenging Amaechi’s record in elections and public office.
For another story on political reconciliation, read Desmond Elliot Begs Gbajabiamila, Seeks Reconciliation With APC.
Wike Criticises Use of Family Tragedies in Politics
The minister also criticised what he described as the use of personal tragedies for political purposes. He said political disagreements should not extend to private grief.
Wike specifically referred to matters surrounding the deaths of family members. He argued that personal tragedies should not become tools in political disputes.
His remarks came while discussing his long-running disagreement with Amaechi. He said political differences should remain separate from private family matters.
Wike also reflected on the disagreements that followed their political separation. He referenced controversies surrounding appointments and interests involving federal maritime agencies.
The minister’s comments added a personal dimension to the wider political dispute. However, the supplied report does not include a response from Amaechi to the claims made during the meeting.
For more political coverage from Rivers State, see Okochiri Fire Incident: Mother, Three Children Die in Rivers Inferno.
Wike Compares Amaechi’s Record With Tinubu Administration
Wike also compared what he described as Amaechi’s approach with developments under President Bola Tinubu. He pointed to regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
The comparison formed part of his broader argument about political leadership. Wike said residents should consider what leaders contribute to their communities while holding public office.
He also linked leadership to empowerment and opportunities for political participation. According to him, political leaders should create room for others to develop.
Wike’s comments came as political activity continues ahead of the 2027 elections. Rivers State remains an important part of discussions around the next presidential contest.
For another report on the 2027 political landscape, read 2027: Sowore Pledges ₦500,000 Wage, 24-Hour Electricity If Elected.
Wike Challenges Amaechi on Rivers Politics
The Ahoada meeting gave Wike another platform to address his long-running political disagreement with Amaechi. He questioned his former ally’s electoral record since their relationship ended in 2011.
He also raised questions about projects linked to Amaechi’s time as governor. These included the specialist hospital, monorail and malaria control programme mentioned in Wike’s address.
Wike urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to examine the records of political leaders. He said they should demand evidence of projects, empowerment and other contributions.
The minister also defended the importance of measuring leadership through tangible outcomes. His comments followed Amaechi’s criticism of the Federal Government’s project delivery record.
The exchange shows how the political rivalry between the two Rivers politicians continues to shape public debate. Their competing claims remain part of the wider political conversation in the state.
For more Rivers-related political coverage, read 2027: Wike Responds to Uzodimma, Defends Rainbow Coalition Support for Tinubu.
Wike Amaechi Rivers Political Dispute
Wike’s latest remarks centred on Amaechi’s electoral record, public projects and political legacy in Rivers State. He challenged his predecessor to identify an election he had won in the state since their political split.
The FCT minister also questioned the status of projects linked to Amaechi’s administration. He specifically mentioned the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the Rivers monorail.
Wike further criticised the reported malaria control programme involving Cuba. He asked residents to consider the outcomes of such projects when assessing political leadership.
Amaechi has not been quoted in the supplied report responding directly to Wike’s latest comments. The remarks therefore represent Wike’s account and criticisms during the Ahoada meeting.
The political exchange comes as Nigerian politicians prepare for another election cycle. Rivers State remains central to several political discussions ahead of 2027.
For related national political coverage, read Remi Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Re-elect Her Husband.
