RIVERS, Nigeria — The political confrontation between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has intensified, with Wike challenging his former political ally to account for major projects and expenditures undertaken during his eight-year tenure as governor.
Wike specifically questioned the fate of the $39.2 million reportedly paid to a contractor for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the N68 billion monorail project and a malaria-control and fumigation programme involving Cuban partners.
The FCT minister spoke while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, reports ThisDay.
Wike said the projects should form part of any assessment of Amaechi’s record as governor, particularly as the former governor is now the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
The minister asked what happened to the money reportedly paid for the specialist hospital after the project was left incomplete.
A judicial commission of inquiry established by the Rivers State Government during Wike’s tenure as governor had investigated the reported payment of $39.2 million to a contractor and the circumstances surrounding the stalled project.
Wike also questioned the fate of the monorail project, one of the major infrastructure schemes initiated under Amaechi’s administration.
He said: “Now, he went to Dubai and he saw a monorail and he came back. Today, where is the monorail? Who spent N68 billion? All of you who are here, ask him the question. Where is the monorail today?”
He also challenged Amaechi over an anti-malaria fumigation programme involving Cuban partners, alleging that $10 million was spent on the initiative.
“Ask him about the fumigation of Rivers State with people from Cuba, in which $10 million was spent. Ask him whether mosquitoes have stopped biting us in Rivers State,” Wike said.
The minister further questioned Amaechi’s record after spending eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor and another eight years as Minister of Transportation.
“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 Ekpeye land in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.
He urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to demand evidence of projects, political empowerment and other benefits allegedly attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.
Wike also challenged Amaechi’s claim to continued political influence in Rivers State, asking his supporters to identify an election he had won in the state since their political relationship broke down in 2011.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has won in Rivers State,” he said.
Wike attacks Amaechi over claim on mother’s death
Wike’s latest attack followed Amaechi’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and his claim that the rising cost of medicines contributed to the death of his mother.
Amaechi, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said he had struggled to afford the medication his mother needed after Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
“Tinubu’s policies killed my mother. Before Tinubu came, my mother was healthy. After 2023, it was difficult for me to buy drugs for my mother,” Amaechi said.
The former Rivers governor has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and their effect on the cost of living and healthcare.
Responding to the claim, Wike questioned how Amaechi, given his years in senior political positions, could have been unable to afford his mother’s medication.
“This one was Speaker for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. This one served as governor for eight years, from 2007 to 2015. This one served as a minister for eight years, from 2015 to 2023.
“And your mother was sick, and you are telling the whole world that because of the policy of Tinubu, you couldn’t buy drugs for your mother, and so your mother died,” Wike said.
He also questioned why, according to him, Amaechi’s associates and friends could not have assisted with the medical expenses before his mother’s death.
Wike further criticised Amaechi for bringing his late mother into the 2027 political contest, referring to a video in which the former governor reportedly said his mother would be happy if the ADC won the election.
“It is unfortunate people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics,” Wike said, while praying that Amaechi’s late mother would “have rest” and “peace with her Creator.”
Amaechi’s mother, Ezinne Amaechi, died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89. She was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State.
