| Says former Rivers governor spent 24 years in top positions without tangible impact on Ekpeye land

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for major projects and expenditures undertaken during his administration as governor of the state.

Wike spoke on Saturday while addressing the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, leaders and stakeholders of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State.

The FCT minister was reacting to Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, during which the former governor and Minister of Transportation criticised the Federal Government over its record of project delivery and challenged it to identify major projects it had completed.

Wike, however, turned the spotlight on Amaechi’s record in Rivers State, questioning the status of several projects initiated under his administration.

He specifically demanded explanations over the $39.2 million reportedly paid to a contractor for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and the funds reportedly spent on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.

“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,” Wike said.

The minister also questioned what became of the money reportedly committed to the specialist hospital project after the facility was left incomplete.

The controversy surrounding the hospital was previously investigated by a judicial commission set up by the Rivers State government under Wike. The commission examined the payment of $39.2 million to a contractor and the failure to complete the project.

Wike also questioned the fate of the monorail project, one of the major infrastructure schemes initiated during Amaechi’s tenure as governor.

He said such projects and expenditures should form part of the assessment of the records of political leaders seeking higher office.

The FCT minister also challenged Amaechi’s political record in Ekpeye land, noting that the former governor spent eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and another eight years as Minister of Transportation.

“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 Ekpeye Land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.

He urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to demand evidence of projects and political empowerment allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.

According to Wike, leadership should be measured by the people empowered, projects delivered and institutions or structures left behind, rather than by the offices held.

He also contrasted his political approach with what he described as efforts by some leaders to prevent others from rising, saying political leaders should empower successors rather than pull people down.

Wike further criticised the use of personal and family tragedies in political disputes, warning against exploiting private grief for political advantage or as a means of attacking opponents.

On Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, Wike challenged his supporters to identify elections the former governor had won in the state 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.

The minister also recalled past disagreements between the two former Rivers leaders, including disputes over appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.

He said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated a different approach through regional development initiatives and appointments involving people from the South-South.

The latest exchange further escalates the long-running political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who were once political allies before emerging as major opponents in Rivers State politics.