By Opeyemi Adelakun
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has questioned the development and political legacy of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, during his 24 years in top public offices.
Wike spoke on Friday at an interactive meeting with 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 for eight years and later Minister of Transportation for another eight years.
Wike challenged residents of the kingdom to identify projects and political empowerment he said Amaechi attracted to the area or the wider state during that period.
“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 this with his own record, saying he could identify projects he facilitated for Rivers State while serving as Minister of State for Education.
“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. But somebody was Speaker, Governor, and headed a very lucrative ministry as a full Minister for eight years, yet brought nothing back home!” he said.
Wike also questioned the ability of political leaders to develop successors and empower people from their communities after holding public office.
He said leadership should extend beyond occupying political positions to creating structures and developing people who can sustain progress after an officeholder leaves.
“When you leave office, what leadership have you kept behind to continue where you stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case,” he said.
Wike further said he had no intention of returning to offices he had previously occupied, noting that he had served twice as a minister and could not become governor again.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life,” he said.
The minister also recalled steps taken by his administration to restructure the chieftaincy institution in Rivers State, saying the changes gave Evo Kingdom representation on the state Council of Traditional Rulers.
On political relationships, Wike said politicians should not assume that alliances would remain permanent, urging his supporters to focus on collective interests.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” he said.
Wike also called for an inclusive campaign structure in Obio-Akpor, saying people from different sections of the community should be involved in the political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now,” he said.
He added: “For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together.”
Traditional and political leaders at the meeting, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and President of the Evo Assembly, Elder Peter Chinwo, expressed support for Wike and the political platform backing his preferred candidates.
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