Bloody thieves, lunatics’ like Amaechi won’t get to Nigeria’s Presidency — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a verbal attack on former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that politicians he described as “bloody thieves” and “lunatics” would never become President of Nigeria.

Wike made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Abuja after a meeting with FCT area council chairmen.

His comments followed reports that Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had criticised supporters of President Bola Tinubu, allegedly describing those who would vote for the President as “thieves and mad people” during an engagement with voters in Edo State.

Reacting, Wike questioned Amaechi’s suitability to lead the country and accused him of hypocrisy.

“A lunatic cannot preside over the affairs of this country! A known armed robber cannot!

“He said those who want to vote for Tinubu are thieves. So, I’m a thief? That’s what he’s saying.

“But who can be a bigger thief than Amaechi? Ask him who has been his psychiatric doctor,” the minister said.

Wike also criticised the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that politicians should be held accountable for inflammatory campaign statements.

He warned that Amaechi could face opposition if he attempted to campaign in Rivers State while continuing to insult supporters of Tinubu.

“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 said.

Wike Raises Questions Over Amaechi’s Record as Rivers Governor

The FCT minister also challenged journalists to scrutinise projects and financial transactions undertaken during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.

Wike cited the alleged expenditure of $39 million on the Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital, claiming the project was fully paid for but never completed.

He also questioned a $10 million fumigation contract reportedly awarded to a Cuban firm to control mosquitoes, describing the expenditure as wasteful.

In addition, Wike criticised the abandoned Port Harcourt monorail project, which he put at N68 billion, and raised allegations concerning the sale of state-owned power assets valued at $308 million.

The minister accused Amaechi of failing to account for public funds and referred to a judicial panel of inquiry that he claimed indicted the former governor.

Wike further alleged that Amaechi’s legal challenge over the matter was unsuccessful up to the Supreme Court.

“These are serious allegations made by Wike and would require examination of the relevant judicial findings, project records and financial documents to establish their accuracy.

Wike Declares FCT Labour Strike Political

Meanwhile, Wike described the indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as politically motivated, insisting that the FCT Administration had no unresolved dispute with teachers.

The minister maintained that the issues raised by the union had been addressed and that agreements reached with workers were being implemented.

“This so-called strike declaration is political and we will not accept it. There’s no basis for anybody to call for a strike. All the things they are talking about have been agreed and are being implemented,” he said.

Wike claimed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS), which he described as representing senior primary school teachers, had distanced themselves from the strike.

He directed area council chairmen to instruct teachers and other civil servants to return to work, warning that the administration would enforce the no-work, no-pay policy.

The minister also alleged that the FCT NLC chairman had previously sought an elective position under the ADC and was using the industrial action to create political tension in the territory.

Wike’s comments came amid the dispute over the proposed strike, with the minister insisting that the action was politically driven rather than the result of unresolved labour grievances.

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