Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the record of his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, during his 24 years in top political positions, challenging people in Evo Kingdom to identify projects or political empowerment he attracted to the area.
Wike made the remarks on Friday while addressing leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, governor of the state for another eight years and later spent eight years as a federal minister.
Wike argued that such a lengthy period in influential positions should have produced visible benefits for the people and community.
“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! What can anybody point to that he attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.
The FCT minister contrasted Amaechi’s record with his own time as Minister of State for Education, saying he could identify projects he attracted to Rivers State during his period in office.
“I was a Minister of State for Education, and as I sit here, I can count the projects I brought to Rivers State and my people,” he said.
Wike also questioned how a politician could spend decades in positions of authority without empowering others or developing new leaders and still claim to have the interests of the people at heart.
“But somebody was Speaker, Governor, and headed a very lucrative ministry as a full Minister for eight years, yet brought nothing back home! How can someone who spent 24 years in power without empowering his people or raising new leaders now turn around to tell you he loves you?” he asked.
He said leadership should not be measured only by how long an individual remains in office but also by the people, structures and opportunities created for others to continue after the leader leaves.
Wike also reaffirmed his earlier pledge to resign as FCT minister if President Bola Tinubu loses Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory in the 2027 presidential election.
He said his current political engagement in Rivers was driven by his desire to contribute to the development of the state and help raise people who could take on leadership responsibilities.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” Wike said.
The minister maintained that political relationships should be guided by collective interests rather than permanent hostility.
“There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest. It is all about the interest of our people,” he said.
Wike also defended his decision to maintain an open-door approach toward former political opponents, arguing that political strength depends partly on building a broad support base.
He urged political actors in Rivers State to put differences aside and work toward a wider mobilisation structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The minister also warned against placing complete trust in political relationships, saying experience had taught him that people could disappoint one another.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” he said.
Wike recalled that his administration had restructured the traditional leadership system in Rivers State to give Evo Kingdom representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
He also said his focus was now on using his position and experience to help develop people and strengthen political structures in the state.
