The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the record of former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, particularly on projects and expenditures undertaken during his administration.
Wike raised the issues on Saturday during 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, at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State.
His comments followed Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, during which the former governor criticised the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged the administration to identify major projects it had completed.
Responding, Wike asked Amaechi to account for projects initiated during his tenure as Rivers governor, including the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the N68 billion monorail project.
He also questioned the reported expenditure on a malaria-control and fumigation programme undertaken in partnership with Cuba.
Wike specifically referred to the reported payment of $39.2 million to a contractor for the specialist hospital project, asking what became of the funds after the project was not completed.
The issue had previously been examined by a judicial commission established by the Rivers State Government during Wike’s tenure as governor. The commission investigated the reported payment and the circumstances surrounding the stalled hospital project.
Wike also questioned the status of the monorail project, which was initiated during Amaechi’s administration as part of efforts to improve transportation infrastructure in the state.
On the malaria-control programme, Wike alleged that $10 million was spent on fumigation and mosquito-control measures involving Cuban partners.
“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 minister said the record of public officials should be examined based on projects delivered and their impact on communities, rather than solely on the offices they occupied.
He also challenged Amaechi to account for his contributions to Ekpeye communities during his years in public office.
“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 was attracted to Ekpeye Land in all those 24 years?” Wike asked.
He urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to assess the projects and opportunities they received during Amaechi’s years in government.
Wike further said political leadership should involve empowering people and creating opportunities for others to advance.
The minister also cautioned politicians against bringing personal and family tragedies into political disputes, saying disagreements over public affairs should not be extended to private grief.
On Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, Wike also asked supporters to consider his electoral record since their political relationship ended.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” he said.
Wike and Amaechi previously worked together in Rivers State politics before becoming political rivals. Their latest exchange reflects the continuing political differences between the two former state leaders.
