The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi that he may struggle to campaign in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections if he continues attacking President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction Amaechi over his reported comments against the President and those who support his re-election bid.
The minister made the remarks on Friday in Abuja after a meeting with chairmen of the six FCT Area Councils and security officials. He questioned why INEC had yet to take action over comments he described as personal attacks rather than issue-based political campaigning.
Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly described people who intended to vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election as “mad” people and thieves during a party town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo State.
Wike argued that political campaigns should focus on policies and plans for national development rather than insults directed at political opponents and their supporters.
“Many Nigerians have called INEC to sanction political parties and candidates or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based,” he said.
The FCT minister also challenged Amaechi to account for several projects and transactions associated with his tenure as Rivers State governor.
He raised questions about a reported $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban company, the state’s ₦68 billion monorail project and the reported $308 million sale of a state-owned gas turbine.
Wike questioned the effectiveness of the fumigation programme, claiming that mosquitoes continued to bite residents despite the reported expenditure.
“Up till now, mosquitoes have been biting Rivers people, including myself,” he said.
He also demanded explanations about the monorail project and the circumstances surrounding the gas turbine sale.
However, Wike did not present supporting documents for the allegations during his remarks, and Amaechi’s response was not included in the account.
Returning to the political dispute, Wike warned that Amaechi could face difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continued his criticism of Tinubu and his supporters.
“If he continues along this line, it may be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. And I want somebody to go and write it down. Because we will not take that. We will not,” he said.
Wike Accuses FCT Labour Leaders of Political Motives
The minister also addressed the strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), describing the action as politically motivated.
He maintained that the FCT Administration had fulfilled its obligations to local government workers and teachers, insisting that there was no justification for the industrial action.
Wike announced the immediate enforcement of a “no work, no pay” policy across the Area Councils. He also said major education bodies, including the Universal Basic Education Board, had distanced themselves from the strike.
The minister accused FCT NLC chairman Stephen Knabayi of having political interests linked to the ADC, alleging that the union leader was using the strike to create a political crisis for the administration.
He urged labour leaders involved in partisan politics to relinquish their union leadership positions to avoid conflicts of interest.
Wike also ordered the removal of unauthorised beer parlours along the Guzape-Asokoro axis of Abuja, warning that establishments operating without approval could pose security risks.
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