FCT Minister Nyesom Wike challenged Rotimi Amaechi to account for the $39 million Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital and N68 billion monorail projects.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has publicly challenged his political predecessor and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to show Nigerians the physical site, foundation, or completed structure of the proposed $39 million Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital.
Speaking during a political gathering and media address held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the vocal minister questioned how the former governor spent public funds allocated for the 1,000 bed mega hospital project without leaving any visible structure on the ground for taxpayers.
In his fiery address, Nyesom Wike pointed out that during Rotimi Amaechi’s tenure as governor, the state government announced grand plans to build a world class specialist medical center, named the Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital, and released tens of millions of US dollars to private contractors.
However, Wike argued that years after the funds were disbursed, the project remains completely non-existent, leaving citizens without the promised health facility.
Calling on media practitioners, civil society groups, and voters across the country to demand full public accountability from former political office holders seeking national support, Nyesom Wike stated that anyone asking for public votes must first show what they achieved with previous allocations.
Directly confronting his long-time political rival over the missing hospital project and questioning his right to seek public votes in future elections, Nyesom Wike declared: “Ask Amaechi to show you just the foundation of the $39m Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital. Ask him to show you where it is today. Was it completed? If a foundation was laid but the project remains unfinished, does he deserve Nigerians’ votes?”
Expanding his criticism to cover other multimillion-dollar projects initiated under the previous administration in Rivers State, Wike listed several abandoned capital works, including the Port Harcourt Monorail scheme and anti-malaria health programs.
Demanding answers regarding other massive public expenditures, Nyesom Wike added: “Ask him to show you N68bn Monorail and the $10m anti-malaria fumigation exercise. Ask him whether mosquitoes do not bite anyone again in Rivers State.”
The FCT Minister emphasized that while his own administration in Rivers State delivered completed flyover bridges, roads, courts, and modern hospitals, the previous government left behind unfulfilled promises and uncompleted projects despite receiving enormous federal revenues.
He urged citizens not to be misled by smooth political talk on television, insisting that real governance is measured by tangible projects that everyday people can see and use.
Wike’s remarks have reopened intense political debates between supporters of both leaders ahead of upcoming electoral activities.
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.
