The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s suitability for the presidency, following reported comments by the former minister describing supporters of President Bola Tinubu as “thieves and mad people”.
The FCT Minister said such remarks were insulting to voters and could undermine Amaechi’s prospects as political parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The FCT Minister spoke in Abuja after a meeting with the chairmen of the six Area Councils to discuss the ongoing strike by teachers in the territory.
Reacting to the reported comments, the FCT Minister challenged Amaechi’s moral authority to label supporters of the President as criminals while making allegations of corruption against the former governor.
“A lunatic cannot preside over the affairs of this country! A known armed robber cannot!
“He said those who want to vote for Tinubu are thieves. So, I’m a thief? That’s what he’s saying,” the FCT minister said.
He also criticised the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what he described as their failure to challenge inflammatory political statements ahead of the elections.
The FCT minister warned that Amaechi could face political resistance if he campaigned in Rivers State while continuing to disparage supporters of President Tinubu.
“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers State. We will make it difficult for him.
“You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free,” he said.
The FCT Minister also called on journalists to scrutinise Amaechi’s record as governor of Rivers State, raising questions about public expenditure and the execution of major infrastructure projects during his administration.
He alleged that 39 million dollars was paid for the Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital, which he claimed was never constructed.
He also questioned a reported 10-million-dollar fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban firm to combat mosquitoes, describing the expenditure as wasteful.
On infrastructure, the FCT Minister criticised the 68-billion-naira Port Harcourt monorail project, which he said was abandoned during Amaechi’s tenure.
He further alleged that 308 million dollars realised from the sale of state-owned gas turbines had been misappropriated.
The FCT minister maintained that the allegations raised questions about Amaechi’s credibility in making corruption allegations against other political figures.
He also alleged that Amaechi had been indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and that his appeal had been dismissed by the Supreme Court.
However, the claims concerning the hospital project, fumigation contract, monorail, gas turbines, and judicial proceedings require independent verification.
Amaechi’s response to the allegations was not included in the account of the FCT minister’s remarks.
