Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for major projects and expenditures undertaken during his administration, including the $39 million Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the N68 billion monorail project.
Wike spoke on Saturday, October 3, 2026, during an interactive meeting with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, leaders and stakeholders of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State.
The FCT Minister was reacting to Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, during which the former governor and Minister of Transportation criticised the Federal Government’s record of project delivery and challenged the administration to identify major projects it had completed.
Turning the spotlight on Amaechi’s record in Rivers State, Wike questioned what became of several projects initiated during his predecessor’s tenure, particularly the specialist hospital, monorail and an anti-malaria fumigation programme.
Wike specifically demanded an explanation over the $39 million reportedly paid to a contractor for the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, which was not completed.
The minister also questioned the N68 billion monorail project initiated under Amaechi, as well as the money reportedly spent on a programme aimed at controlling malaria and eradicating mosquitoes in the state.
Wike said the anti-malaria programme, which involved collaboration with Cuba, was another issue Amaechi should explain.
“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,” he said.
The minister said such issues should form part of the assessment of political leaders seeking higher public office, arguing that political records should be measured by tangible projects, empowerment and lasting structures.
Wike also questioned Amaechi’s record after his combined 24 years in prominent political positions as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor of the state and 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!” he said.
He consequently urged residents of Ahoada East and Ahoada West to examine the projects and political empowerment they believed were attracted to the area during Amaechi’s years in public office.
According to Wike, leadership should not be defined merely by the number or level of offices occupied, but by the people empowered, projects delivered and institutions or political structures left behind.
The FCT Minister contrasted this with what he described as his own approach to political leadership, saying leaders should empower others and create opportunities for people to rise rather than deliberately frustrate their political advancement.
Wike also criticised what he described as the use of personal and family tragedies in political disputes, warning against turning private grief into a tool for political attacks or sympathy.
He further challenged claims about Amaechi’s political influence in Rivers State, asking his supporters to examine his electoral record since their political relationship broke down.
“Since I left him in 2011, after 2011, mention one election that he has ever won in Rivers State,” he said.
The minister also revisited aspects of his long political relationship with Amaechi, including past disagreements over appointments and business interests involving federal maritime agencies.
He contrasted what he described as Amaechi’s political approach with the Tinubu administration’s establishment of regional development structures and appointments involving people from the South-South.
