The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to identify projects and political empowerment he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public office.
Wike, put the challenge to Amaechi during an interactive session on Friday, with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he questioned the development legacy of his predecessor, who served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.
The FCT minister accused past political leaders of monopolising power and failing to groom successors, insisting that leadership should be measured by its impact on the people and the structures established to sustain development after the leader leaves office.
He said political officeholders should use their positions to empower others rather than prevent people from their communities from attaining leadership positions.
“Because how will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came up for you to help, for you to uplift them? But because of your greed, because of your selfishness, you don’t want anybody to reach the level you are,” Wike said.
He added, “You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me”.
Taking a direct swipe at Amaechi’s record in public office, Wike challenged his predecessor’s supporters to identify specific projects or initiatives he facilitated for the kingdom during his years in government.
“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!
“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! How can someone who spent 24 years in power without empowering his people or raising new leaders now turn around to tell you he loves you?” Wike queried.
The minister also defended his political record, saying he was satisfied with what he had achieved and had no intention of returning to offices he had previously occupied.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, stressing that his priority was to contribute to sustainable leadership and the emergence of leaders capable of continuing the development process.
“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.
“I can’t be a governor again. I’ve been a minister two times. I cannot be chairman of council again. So I am happy. I don’t have anything to lose”.
Wike said political leadership should be assessed by the quality of successors and institutions left behind, warning against a system in which progress depended entirely on one individual.
He continued: “What leadership, as you are leaving, what’s the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case.”
On the uncertainties associated with political alliances and relationships, Wike urged his supporters not to place absolute confidence in human promises, saying their commitment should remain guided by faith and personal responsibility.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God,” Wike declared.
He added, “So, don’t ever believe that a human being will not disappoint you. No matter the love you have, do the best you can do. If the person disappoints you, don’t kill yourself. God will right the wrong”, he said.
The FCT minister also recounted how his administration restructured the chieftaincy institution to ensure Evo Kingdom had adequate representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
He dismissed suggestions that traditional political practices or the use of native charms could intimidate him, maintaining that his political decisions were guided by his convictions.
At the meeting, traditional and political leaders expressed support for Wike and the political platform backing his preferred candidates.
Among those who assured the minister of victory for Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition were Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of Evo Assembly.