Amaechi’s Rivers Campaign Won’t Be Easy If… – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, could 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 the chairmen of the six FCT area councils. He was reacting to remarks attributed to Amaechi that only thieves and mentally unstable people would vote for Tinubu.

Amaechi, the running mate to African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has become a prominent figure in the opposition’s preparations for the election. His political activities had earlier attracted attention following the appearance of his campaign posters in Kano.

“If he continues 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.

Wike Objects to Remarks About Tinubu Supporters

The minister said he watched Amaechi’s remarks on television, alleging that the former Rivers governor also directed insulting comments at voters in Edo State.

“All of us watched on television yesterday where he said it’s 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. This is supposedly a vice presidential candidate of a political party seeking to take over power,” he said.

Wike has repeatedly defended his support for the President, previously explaining that backing Tinubu does not mean supporting every APC candidate.

Minister Asks INEC to Sanction Inciting Campaign Remarks

Wike urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions to act against politicians whose campaign statements incite the public or substitute personal attacks for discussions about governance.

“Many Nigerians have called INEC to sanction political parties, candidates, or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based,” he said.

The exchange comes as rival political camps strengthen their election structures, including the ADC’s campaign arrangements for Atiku and grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu in northern Nigeria.

Wike Challenges Amaechi Over Rivers Projects

The minister also challenged Amaechi to account for several projects and transactions undertaken during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.

He questioned a $39 million cassava flour mill, a $10 million payment to a Cuban company for fumigation, the ₦68 billion monorail project and a gas turbine sale he valued at $308 million.

“I have challenged him to tell Nigerians where is our $39 million cassava flour mill which you claimed you built? Where is the $10 million you paid to a Cuban company to fumigate Rivers State so there will be no mosquito bite? Where is the N68 billion monorail? Where is the $308 million you sold our gas turbine?” Wike asked.

Wike further alleged that Amaechi had been indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and had unsuccessfully challenged the indictment up to the Supreme Court.

The allegations were made by Wike. A response from Amaechi was not included in the account of the minister’s remarks.

The confrontation adds to concerns about the tone of political exchanges ahead of the elections. Elsewhere, former Chief of Naval Staff Usman Jibrin has called for restraint and condemned political violence, underscoring the importance of peaceful participation as campaigns intensify.