Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has berated Rotimi Amaechi, alleging he made no meaningful impact on the people as a two-term governor of Rivers State.
Mr Amaechi, who was Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015, later served as transportation minister under former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Friday, Mr Wike accused Mr Amaechi of failure, insisting he performed better than him as Rivers State governor.
”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. “But somebody was Speaker, Governor, and headed a very lucrative ministry as a full Minister for eight years, yet brought nothing back home! How can someone who spent 24 years in power without empowering his people or raising new leaders now turn around to tell you he loves you?.”
Mr Wike added, “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 minister questioned the moral right of those who spent decades in high offices without leaving behind a legacy of leadership or infrastructure in the area, warning against selfish politics that crumbles once the leader passes on.
”Because how will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came up for you to help, for you to uplift them? But because of your greed, because of your selfishness, you don’t want anybody to reach the level you are.
“You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me,” he added.
Highlighting his political trajectory and contentment with his achievements under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister stressed that he had no further personal political ambitions other than serving as a vessel for his people.
Mr Wike noted, ”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. I can’t be a governor again. I’ve been a minister two times. I cannot be chairman of council again. So I am happy. I don’t have anything to lose
”What leadership, as you are leaving, what’s the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case.”
The minister’s statement dogged political strategies and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.