Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, issued a stern warning to former Minister of Transportation and running mate to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, stating that his political coalition will make it difficult for Amaechi to campaign in Rivers State if he continues attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike delivered the threat on Friday morning, October 9, 2026, during a media briefing at his official residence in Abuja.
The altercation follows recent remarks attributed to Amaechi during a political engagement with voters in Edo State, where the former governor criticised those planning to vote for President Tinubu.
Responding directly to those remarks, Wike strongly rejected the characterization of supporters backing the current administration.
”He said those who want to vote for Tinubu are thieves. So, am I a thief? That’s what he’s saying,” Wike stated. “If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers State. We will make it difficult for him. You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free.”
Wike urged the former transportation minister to present policy alternatives to the electorate rather than resorting to personal insults and inflammatory rhetoric.
Beyond the political warnings, Wike challenged Amaechi to account for expenditures during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State. He questioned the outcome of several key projects and financial transactions, including:
The Port Harcourt Monorail Project: Demanding accountability for the estimated N68billion allocated to the unfinished transit network.
Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital: Demanding answers regarding $39 million USD allegedly disbursed for a facility that was never constructed.
State Fumigation Contract: Requesting clarification regarding a $10 million USD contract awarded to a Cuban firm to address mosquitoes.
Power Asset Divestment: Raising questions over the proceeds from the $308 million USD sale of state gas turbines.
Wike stressed that Amaechi remains bound by the findings of the Rivers State Judicial Panel of Inquiry, which survived legal challenges up to the Supreme Court.
As of Friday evening, neither Rotimi Amaechi nor the ADC media team had issued a response to the FCT Minister’s statements.
