The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, may face difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continues to attack President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike issued the warning on Friday in Abuja after meeting with chairmen of the six area councils in the FCT, reacting to comments reportedly made by Amaechi, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, that only thieves and mad people would vote for Tinubu.
The FCT minister said such remarks would not be tolerated in Rivers State, warning that Amaechi could encounter resistance if he maintained that approach during his political campaigns.
“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. We will not take that. If security agencies and INEC can fold their hands, that’s their business, but we will not allow it,” Wike said.
He also launched a personal attack on the former Rivers State governor, describing him as a “bloody thief and lunatic” and insisting that he would never become Nigeria’s president.
Wike further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to sanction politicians who engage in personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric rather than presenting issue-based campaign messages.
According to him, political parties and candidates should be held accountable when their campaign statements are considered capable of inciting the public.
The minister cited Amaechi’s reported remarks about Tinubu and voters in Edo State as examples of what he considered inappropriate political conduct.
Wike said it was unacceptable for a politician seeking national leadership to insult citizens based on their preferred presidential candidate.
He also challenged Amaechi to account for projects and expenditures allegedly undertaken during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Among the issues he raised were a $39 million cassava flour mill, a reported $10 million payment to a Cuban company for mosquito control, the N68 billion monorail project and the alleged sale of a gas turbine valued at $308 million.
“Amaechi has looted the treasury,” Wike alleged, calling on the former governor to explain the transactions.
He also questioned Amaechi over his reported indictment by a judicial panel of inquiry, claiming that the former governor challenged the indictment in court but lost at the Supreme Court.
