The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the development projects and political empowerment he said former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice Presidential Candidate, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, brought to Evo Kingdom during his 24 years in public office.
Wike made the remarks on Friday during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of the state and Minister of Transportation.
Wike challenged the people of Evo Kingdom to identify projects or other development initiatives attracted to the area by Amaechi during his years in government.
“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 Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years?” Wike asked.
The FCT minister contrasted this with his own experience in government, saying he could identify projects he facilitated for Rivers State during his tenure as Minister of State for Education.
Wike also spoke about the importance of developing new leaders, saying political office holders should create opportunities for others rather than concentrate power around themselves.
He said his approach to leadership was based on human capacity development and providing opportunities for people to advance.
“Because how will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came up for you to help, to uplift them? But because of your greed, because of your selfishness, you don’t want anybody to reach the level you are,” he said.
Wike said he was satisfied with his political career and had no intention of seeking some of the offices he had previously occupied.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing. The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life,” he said.
“I can’t be a governor again. I’ve been a minister two times. I cannot be chairman of the council again. So I am happy. I don’t have anything to lose.”
The minister further stressed the need for leaders to develop successors capable of sustaining progress after they leave office.
“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,” he said.
On political relationships, Wike advised against relying solely on promises made by individuals, saying politicians should recognise that circumstances and relationships could change.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” he said.
Wike also recalled the restructuring of the chieftaincy institution during his tenure as governor, saying it gave Evo Kingdom representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
He said political disagreements or traditional considerations would not deter him from pursuing his political position.
Political leaders and traditional rulers, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of the Evo Assembly, also spoke at the meeting.
They expressed their position on the 2027 elections and said they would support President Bola Tinubu and other candidates associated with the Rainbow Coalition.
