Wike challenges Amaechi over his 24 years in public office, questioning the projects and political empowerment linked to the former Rivers State governor’s time as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike made the remarks on Friday during an interactive meeting with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he questioned what Amaechi achieved for his community during his long political career.
Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years before becoming governor. He governed the state for another eight years and later served as Minister of Transportation for eight years.
Wike said Amaechi’s long career in government should make it possible for people in his community to identify specific projects and other benefits linked to his time in office. He therefore asked stakeholders to point to what Amaechi attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during those years.
Wike Challenges Amaechi Over Development and Leadership
Wike said he could identify projects that he helped bring to Rivers State while serving as Minister of State for Education. He used that experience to question what he described as Amaechi’s contribution to the development of his community during his own years in government.
“Someone was Speaker of the House of Assembly for eight years, governor for eight years, and minister for eight years; that is 24 years in top leadership positions,” Wike said.
He then asked what people could point to as projects or development initiatives Amaechi attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State during that period.
Wike also criticised political leaders who, in his view, fail to empower other people after gaining access to important government positions. He argued that leaders should create opportunities for others to rise rather than concentrate political influence around themselves.
The FCT minister said leadership should also involve preparing people to continue after an office holder leaves. He questioned whether some political leaders had built strong successors and structures capable of carrying on their work.
“What leadership, as you are leaving, what’s the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped?” Wike asked.
He added that political structures should not depend entirely on one individual. According to him, a system can become weak when a leader fails to develop people who can take responsibility after their departure.
Wike Says He Has No Interest in Returning to Previous Offices
Wike also spoke about his own political career and said he had reached a point where he had no interest in returning to positions he had already occupied.
He recalled serving as governor and minister and said he could not return to those offices. Wike added that he was satisfied with what he had achieved and did not believe he had anything to lose politically.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing,” he said, adding that his main request was for God to give him long life.
Wike further advised his supporters to avoid placing absolute trust in political relationships. He said politicians should understand that people can disappoint them, regardless of how strong their relationships may appear.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” Wike said.
He urged people to continue doing their best even when political relationships change, adding that they should rely on God rather than expect every human promise to remain unchanged.
The minister also recalled a reform carried out during his tenure as Rivers State governor. He said his administration restructured the state’s chieftaincy institution to give Evo Kingdom representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The meeting took place as political activity continues to build in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike has been engaging political stakeholders in the state while backing President Bola Tinubu and the political coalition associated with him.
Traditional and political figures, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of the Evo Assembly, also attended the meeting.
The latest comments add to the ongoing political differences between Wike and Amaechi, who have remained prominent figures in Rivers State politics. Wike’s latest remarks focused on Amaechi’s record in public office, particularly his 24 years across the state legislature, the governorship and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
