Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a “lunatic” and questioning his suitability for Nigeria’s presidency over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as governor.
Drivetvnews gathered that Wike made the remarks on Friday at his Life Camp residence in Abuja after meeting with area council chairmen. He also accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of pursuing political interests through its planned indefinite strike in the FCT.
The minister’s comments followed Amaechi’s reported description of supporters of President Bola Tinubu as thieves and mad people.
In response, Wike challenged the former governor to account for several projects and financial transactions he alleged were questionable during Amaechi’s administration in Rivers State.
The transactions cited by Wike included an alleged $39 million payment for a cassava flour mill, $10 million for mosquito fumigation, a ₦68 billion monorail project and the sale of a state-owned gas turbine for $308 million.
“Who can be a bigger thief than Amaechi?” Wike asked, accusing the former governor of mismanaging public funds.
He called on journalists to investigate the transactions, alleging that the media had failed to adequately scrutinise the claims because they concerned an opposition politician.
Wike also questioned how Amaechi could seek national office without providing satisfactory explanations for the alleged expenditure on projects he claimed did not exist.
The FCT minister urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address what he described as inflammatory political rhetoric, arguing that politicians should focus on policies and national issues rather than personal attacks.
He further warned that Amaechi could encounter difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continued making such remarks about Tinubu’s supporters.
“If he continues this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers,” Wike said, urging the former governor to withdraw his comments.
The exchange comes amid political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Amaechi emerging as a prominent opposition figure associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Wike Orders FCT Workers to Resume Duties
Wike also addressed the planned indefinite strike by the NLC in the Federal Capital Territory, describing the action as politically motivated.
He insisted that there was no justification for the strike over the dispute between the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
According to the minister, issues concerning teachers’ promotions were being addressed, while matters relating to directors fell under establishment procedures beyond the authority of local education authorities to alter.
Wike directed area council chairmen to instruct teachers and other civil servants to return to work, warning that the administration would enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against workers who participated in the strike.
“We cannot continue with this. Enough is enough,” he said.
The minister alleged that the FCT NLC chairman had political interests in the dispute, claiming that the union leader had previously contested an area council election on the ADC platform.
He accused labour leaders of attempting to create a crisis in the territory and undermine confidence in the FCT Administration. Wike maintained that agreements reached with the relevant parties were being implemented and questioned the reasons for the planned industrial action.
He also disclosed that the FCT Administration had directed urban control officials, working alongside security agencies, to remove unauthorised businesses, including beer parlours and motor parks, being established in parts of the territory over concerns about potential security risks.
