Amaechi’s campaign in Rivers will be difficult if… – Wike
By Omeiza Ajayi
Abuja – Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, cautioned that former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, the running mate of African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, may face obstacles campaigning in Rivers State if he continues to criticize President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike issued the warning on Friday during a meeting in Abuja with the chairpersons of the six area councils in the FCT. His comments were prompted by statements attributed to Amaechi, who reportedly said that only “thieves and mad people” would vote for Tinubu.
“If he continues this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. We will not take that,” Wike said, expressing concern about the implications of Amaechi’s rhetoric. “If security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) choose to ignore this, that is their business, but we will not allow it.”
The minister recounted watching Amaechi’s remarks on television, which he claimed extended to residents of Edo State. “He said it is only thieves that can vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, only mad people can vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that if Edo people vote for him, it means Edo people are mad,” Wike stated, highlighting the challenges faced by a vice presidential candidate in making such comments.
Wike urged INEC to take action against politicians who resort to personal attacks rather than focusing on substantive campaign issues. “One problem we have in this country is that agencies or commissions should take their responsibilities seriously,” he remarked. “Many Nigerians have called on INEC to sanction political parties, candidates, or politicians who incite the public or engage in non-issue-based campaigns.”
Additionally, Wike challenged Amaechi to provide an account of major projects he claimed to have executed during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
“I have challenged him to tell Nigerians where our $39 million cassava flour mill is, where the $10 million paid to a Cuban company for fumigation went, where the N68 billion monorail is, and where the $308 million from the sale of our gas turbine is,” Wike said.
He further alleged that Amaechi mismanaged state funds and referenced a Judicial Panel of Inquiry that had previously indicted him. “Ask him why he was indicted and why he went to court to challenge that indictment and lost at the Supreme Court,” Wike added.
