Wike faults Atiku’s record, raises questions over Amaechi’s projects

Wike faults Atiku’s record, raises questions over Amaechi’s projects

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to account for his eight years in office, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s past criticism of his former deputy as he questioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike also questioned the record of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, arguing that his entry into the ADC had complicated the party’s presidential ticket and demanding explanations over projects and financial transactions during his eight-year administration.

The minister spoke on Thursday at a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records of presidential aspirants rather than be swayed by political affiliations and campaign promises.

Wike, who said he had contested a presidential primary against Atiku, challenged the former vice-president to point to the impact of his tenure under Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

“Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president, but a very powerful vice-president.

He was in charge of privatisation and everything concerning companies and industries owned by the government,” he said.

The minister questioned the outcome of Atiku’s role in the Federal Government, particularly the privatisation programme, asking Nigerians to assess his record before considering his renewed presidential ambition. BuyMaps

“Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!” Wike asked.

He also referred to Obasanjo’s reported expression of regret over supporting Atiku’s emergence as vice-president, arguing that the former president’s assessment of their relationship should be considered in evaluating Atiku’s record in public office.

Wike subsequently turned his attention to Amaechi, questioning the justification for presenting the former Rivers governor as part of a credible alternative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

He demanded explanations over what he described as $10 million allegedly spent on a mosquito-control programme, $39 million earmarked for a proposed specialist hospital and N68 billion reportedly committed to a monorail project during Amaechi’s administration from 2007 to 2015.

The minister also questioned the handling of proceeds from the reported sale of a gas turbine in December 2014 for $308 million.

“Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?” he asked.

The allegations were raised by Wike at the political meeting and were not independently established by the information available for this report. Amaechi’s response to the claims was not included in the account of the event.

The minister urged Nigerians to hold political officeholders accountable for their records and demand explanations for public expenditure before entrusting them with higher responsibilities. BuyMaps

Earlier, the Zonal Director of the Post Primary Schools Board, Chimereze Nworgo, said the people of Ogbia Local Government Area had not forgotten the security and infrastructure interventions associated with Wike’s tenure as Rivers governor.

Nworgo cited the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe Road, improved connectivity, the establishment of a model secondary school and recognition of traditional institutions as some of the interventions appreciated by the community.

He also commended Wike for supporting the political representation of Ogbia indigenes at the national level, including Ambassador Desmond Eji Akawu.

While reaffirming the community’s political support for Wike, Nworgo appealed for more interventions in road construction and rehabilitation, a general hospital, renovation of dilapidated schools, youth employment and empowerment, and additional political appointments for Ogbia indigenes at the state and federal levels.

He said the community’s endorsement did not mean that all its development needs had been met, but reflected its willingness to sustain engagement with Wike in pursuit of its aspirations.

The Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Okechukwu Nwaogu, also presented a gift to Wike on behalf of the council in recognition of his position as FCT minister and leader of the Rainbow Coalition.