The political rivalry between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has intensified following Wike’s demand for explanations over several multimillion-dollar and billion-naira projects allegedly undertaken during Amaechi’s eight-year administration.
Wike challenged Amaechi, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to account for the $39.2 million Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital project, the N68 billion monorail project and approximately N10 billion allegedly spent on an anti-malaria fumigation programme in Rivers State.
The FCT minister made the remarks while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike’s comments came amid growing political tension between the two former political allies, with the minister also criticising Amaechi for blaming President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies for the death of his mother.
Wike Demands Accountability Over Amaechi’s Projects
Wike questioned the whereabouts of funds reportedly committed to the Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital project, which was initiated during Amaechi’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015 but remained incomplete.
He recalled that his administration established a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged payment of $39.2 million to a contractor for the specialist hospital project and the failure to complete the facility.
The minister also demanded explanations regarding the N68 billion monorail project, another major infrastructure initiative introduced under Amaechi’s administration, as well as the alleged expenditure on an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike dismissed the malaria initiative as a scam, questioning its impact on residents despite the reported expenditure.
“Ask him about the fumigation of Rivers State with people from Cuba, in which $10 million was allegedly spent. Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He further challenged Amaechi to identify projects and political achievements he delivered to the Ekpeye people during his years in public office.
According to Wike, Amaechi spent eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, another eight years as governor and eight years as Minister of Transportation, amounting to 24 years in influential political positions.
“What can anybody point to that he attracted to Ekpeye land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” the FCT minister said.
Wike Questions Amaechi’s Political Influence in Rivers
The FCT minister also questioned Amaechi’s political relevance and electoral performance in Rivers State since their political relationship deteriorated.
Wike, who previously served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, challenged the former governor’s supporters to identify elections he had won in the state since 2011.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has won in Rivers State,” Wike stated.
He urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas to demand evidence of projects, infrastructure and political empowerment allegedly attracted to their communities during Amaechi’s years in government.
Wike maintained that political leadership should be assessed based on tangible achievements, completed projects, human capital development and the number of people empowered to succeed in leadership positions.
He contrasted Amaechi’s political record with his own administration, arguing that he deliberately empowered individuals, developed political successors and established structures that would sustain political participation.
The minister also praised the Tinubu administration for establishing regional development structures and making appointments involving people from the South-South region.
Wike Faults Amaechi Over Claim That Tinubu’s Policies Caused His Mother’s Death
Beyond the controversy surrounding the projects, Wike strongly criticised Amaechi for linking the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi, to the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu.
Amaechi had reportedly stated during an interview that the rising cost of medicines following Tinubu’s emergence as president made it difficult for him to afford his mother’s medication.
“Tinubu’s policies killed my mother. Before Tinubu came to power, my mother was healthy. After 2023, it was difficult for me to buy drugs for my mother,” Amaechi said during the interview.
Reacting to the statement, Wike questioned how Amaechi, who had occupied several prominent political positions for 24 years, could claim that he was unable to afford his mother’s medication.
He highlighted Amaechi’s tenure as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governor from 2007 to 2015 and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
Wike argued that Amaechi’s political experience and reported family financial circumstances raised questions about his claim that the rising cost of medication prevented him from providing adequate treatment for his mother.
“Again, you said it was Tinubu that killed his mother. It was Tinubu’s administration that led to not being able to buy drugs for his mother,” Wike said.
The minister also questioned why Amaechi’s wife, whom he described as an industrialist, could not provide financial assistance for the medical expenses.
He further wondered why Amaechi’s wealthy associates, some of whom reportedly owned private jets and attended his mother’s burial, could not have assisted with her treatment while she was alive.
Wike’s comments, however, were political criticisms and did not independently establish the circumstances surrounding Mary Amaechi’s death.
Wike Accuses Amaechi of Bringing His Late Mother Into Politics
Wike also condemned Amaechi for reportedly suggesting that his late mother would be happy if the ADC won the 2027 general election.
The FCT minister said it was inappropriate to involve a deceased family member in political campaigns or use personal grief to advance political arguments.
“In one of his videos, he said if ADC wins the election, his mother will be very happy. So, the only condition is that his mother will not be happy if ADC does not win,” Wike said.
He described the comments as an unfortunate attempt to bring a personal family tragedy into political discourse.
“It is unfortunate people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics,” the minister added.
Wike urged political leaders to avoid exploiting private grief and family tragedies for political purposes, stressing that the deceased should be allowed to rest in peace.
He also prayed for the repose of Amaechi’s mother, Mary, who died in July 2026 and was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State.
Wike and Amaechi’s Political Rivalry Intensifies Ahead of 2027
The latest exchange highlights the deepening political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two influential figures who have played significant roles in Rivers State and national politics.
Their relationship has been marked by political disagreements, controversies over appointments and disputes involving federal maritime agencies and other interests.
Wike’s latest remarks reflect the growing political contest surrounding Rivers State as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.
While Amaechi has criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, Wike has defended the president and challenged his former political associate to account for his record in public office.
The dispute has increasingly centred on governance, accountability, political influence and the legacies of their respective administrations.
Wike insisted that political leaders should be judged by the projects they complete, the people they empower and the lasting institutions they establish, rather than the positions they occupy or the political influence they claim to wield.
