Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, saying his past actions against the judiciary make him unfit to become Nigeria’s Vice President.

Wike also accused the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of abandoning its traditional role as an impartial defender of the rule of law and becoming politically partisan.

The minister spoke on Wednesday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, where he revisited his longstanding political differences with Amaechi.

Wike urged Nigerians to examine the records of politicians seeking high office, particularly their past conduct on democracy and the rule of law.

According to him, Amaechi, who is currently seeking the Vice Presidency, previously shut down courts in Rivers State, an action he said had serious consequences for citizens.

“Rotimi Amaechi, who wants to be Vice President today, once shut down the courts in Rivers State and caused a pregnant woman to give birth in prison,” Wike said.

He argued that anyone with a record of undermining the judiciary should not be entrusted with a sensitive executive position.

Wike also took aim at the NBA, accusing its leadership of taking sides in political matters instead of maintaining institutional neutrality.

“The Nigerian Bar Association has now taken sides politically. They are now a political party,” he declared.

The minister said the NBA should remain focused on defending the rule of law, constitutionalism and justice rather than becoming involved in political contests or activities that could be interpreted as partisan endorsements.