PORT HARCOURT: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to make it difficult for former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to campaign in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections over alleged derogatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike accused Amaechi, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), of describing Nigerians willing to vote for Tinubu as thieves and mentally unstable. He insisted that the former governor should withdraw the alleged remarks, warning that political attacks against the President and his supporters could provoke resistance in Rivers State.
The minister made the remarks in Abuja on Friday, October 9, 2026, where he also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as its failure to address inflammatory statements by politicians.
According to Wike, political campaigns should focus on policy alternatives, governance and candidates’ plans for addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than personal insults against political opponents and their supporters.
He said Amaechi could not expect to make such comments without facing opposition from Tinubu’s supporters in Rivers State.
“All of us watched on television yesterday, where he said it’s only thieves that can vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And also said that only mad people can go and vote for Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said.
The FCT minister argued that such language was inappropriate for anyone seeking a position of national leadership.
Although he threatened resistance to Amaechi’s campaign activities, Wike did not specify the form such opposition might take.
He also called on INEC to take action against politicians who allegedly resort to personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric instead of presenting issue-based campaign messages.
Beyond the dispute over Tinubu, Wike challenged Amaechi to explain several projects and financial transactions associated with his tenure as Rivers State governor.
The minister questioned the alleged expenditure of $39 million on a cassava flour mill, claiming that the project was never completed or built as represented.
Where is our $39 million cassava flour mill which you claimed that you built, and you refused to build? And, of course, you claimed you paid the $39 million USD. Where is the money?” Wike asked.
He also demanded explanations over a ₦68 billion monorail project, a reported $10 million payment to a Cuban company for mosquito fumigation and the reported sale of a state-owned gas turbine for $308 million.
Wike questioned the value delivered by the projects and called on the former governor to account for the transactions.
However, the minister did not present documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations during the briefing.
The claims represent Wike’s accusations against his former political ally and should not be treated as established findings without supporting documentation or independent verification.
The latest exchange underscores the continuing rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two former governors of Rivers State whose political differences could shape the contest for influence in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike maintained that Amaechi should account for his record in office rather than make sweeping allegations against Tinubu and those supporting the President’s re-election bid.
He also referred to a judicial panel of inquiry that allegedly indicted Amaechi, challenging the former governor to explain the findings and the outcome of his legal challenge.
Wike warned that Amaechi’s campaign activities in Rivers could face resistance if he continued making the alleged remarks against the President and his supporters.
“If he continues this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers,” the minister said.
The threat adds another dimension to the political contest expected to develop as parties and their leading figures position themselves for the 2027 elections.
In a separate matter, Wike dismissed the indefinite strike declared by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Federal Capital Territory, describing the action as politically motivated.
He directed the six FCT area councils to enforce the no-work, no-pay policy against teachers and other affected workers who remain away from their duties.
The minister argued that the issues raised by the labour organisation, including promotions and other administrative matters affecting teachers, had either been resolved or were being addressed by the relevant authorities.
He also claimed that the leadership of the National Union of Teachers and representatives of senior primary school teachers had distanced themselves from the strike.
“The issue of promotion is ongoing. The issue of director is an establishment matter,” Wike said.
He insisted that the administration had no unresolved dispute with the teachers and maintained that agreements reached with relevant stakeholders were being implemented.
Wike further accused the FCT NLC leadership of pursuing political interests through the industrial action, alleging that its chairman had previously contested an area council election on the platform of the ADC.
He warned that the strike could disrupt academic activities and called on labour leaders interested in partisan politics to relinquish their union positions.
Wike also raised concerns about alleged unauthorised commercial activities in parts of the FCT, including the establishment of beer parlours, motor parks and other businesses in locations that had not received the necessary approvals.
He said such developments could create security challenges and undermine orderly urban planning.
The minister disclosed that he had directed the FCT urban control authorities to work with security agencies to remove the operators before the situation escalated.
He maintained that the administration would not allow activities capable of threatening security or disrupting the orderly development of the nation’s capital.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of 2027, Wike’s warning to Amaechi highlights the growing tension among political figures, while his position on the FCT strike signals a continued hard line on labour disputes within the capital territory.
