FCT Minister Nyesom Wike accused former governor Rotimi Amaechi of looting Rivers treasury to buy houses for young girls and failing to account for state funds.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has launched a fierce attack on the former governor of Rivers State and vice presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking during a heated press conference held on Friday, October 9, 2026, the FCT minister called Amaechi a hypocrite and a known treasury thief who mismanaged billions of Naira belonging to the people of Rivers State during his eight years as governor.
The explosive political clash started after Rotimi Amaechi openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and publicly called politicians who support Tinubu’s leadership and re-election ambition thieves.
Reacting angrily to Amaechi’s remarks, Wike stated that it is shameful for a politician with a tainted financial record to point fingers at others and call them corrupt.
Addressing reporters on his decision to back President Tinubu and slamming Amaechi for calling Tinubu supporters thieves, Minister Nyesom Wike stated: “Because I have said I am going to vote for Tinubu, and he has said all those who want to vote for him are thieves, so I am a thief? That’s what he has said.”
Firing back with heavy corruption allegations against his former political ally, Wike accused Amaechi of recklessly spending state funds on personal luxury instead of developing the state.
Leveling direct financial allegations against Amaechi, Wike declared: “But who can be a bigger thief than Amaechi? This is someone who stood on the treasury of a state and looted it and wasted it, buying houses for young girls all over the place. Let him come and challenge me if it is not correct.”
The FCT minister further criticized the opposition African Democratic Congress for adopting Amaechi as its vice presidential candidate, warning that Nigerians will not allow questionable politicians to manage national affairs.
Questioning the leadership choices made by the political party, Wike said: “If you want someone to turn Nigeria good, then it’s unfortunate for ADC to think that a lunatic can. A lunatic cannot decide the affairs of this country. A known armed robber cannot. Amaechi has looted a treasury. This is a known thief, and Nigerians are keeping quiet.”
To back up his claims of financial mismanagement, Wike listed specific state projects that Amaechi allegedly used to drain government accounts without delivering results.
He challenged Amaechi to explain what happened to 39 million dollars allocated for a hospital project that was never built on the ground, as well as the sale of a state-owned gas company for 380 million dollars without proper accounting.
Warning the former governor to stop coming to Rivers State to insult political leaders, Wike warned: “If you continue on this line, it will be difficult for you to campaign in Rivers State. We will not take that. We will not.”
Expressing deep displeasure over the insults directed at national leaders and millions of voters who support the president, Wike asked: “Who does that in this world?”
Wike’s explosive comments have reignited the longstanding political rivalry between the two Rivers leaders, drawing strong reactions from political groups across the country.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
