By George Omagbemi
ABUJA — October 9, 2026. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi may face difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continues to insult supporters of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike issued the warning on Friday while speaking to journalists in Abuja, following a meeting with chairmen of the FCT’s six area councils.
He was reacting to remarks attributed to Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, at a party town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday. Amaechi reportedly said that only thieves and “mad people” would vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“If he continues this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. We will not take that,” Wike said, adding that he would not remain passive if Amaechi continued making such comments.
Wike also criticised electoral authorities for failing to address what he described as inflammatory, personality-driven campaign rhetoric, arguing that political campaigns should focus on issues rather than personal attacks.
The FCT minister escalated his criticism by calling Amaechi a “bloody thief” and a “lunatic”. He challenged the former governor to explain the expenditure on several projects undertaken during his administration in Rivers State, including a cassava flour mill, a fumigation contract, the Port Harcourt monorail and the sale of gas turbines.
These allegations reflect Wike’s accusations against Amaechi and should not be treated as established findings without independent verification.
The exchange adds to the increasingly heated political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Tinubu’s supporters and opposition figures trading accusations over the president’s performance and the conduct of political campaigns.
Amaechi’s reported comments in Edo have also drawn criticism from the Presidency and the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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