Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has renewed allegations about spending under former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, using a political gathering in Port Harcourt to question his suitability for national office.
Wike made the accusations during the unveiling of candidates associated with the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance he said was bringing politicians from several parties together in support of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re election bid.
He alleged that substantial sums were spent or received during Amaechi’s tenure in connection with mosquito control, the proposed Justice Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital and the sale of the Omoku gas turbine. Wike cited dollar figures of $10 million, $39 million and $308 million respectively and converted them into naira using exchange rate equivalents he selected.
The amounts and allegations are claims made by Wike. The supplied account does not include the underlying contracts, transaction records, court judgments or a response from Amaechi. The naira equivalents also reflect a later exchange rate rather than necessarily the value of the transactions when they occurred.
Wike claimed that a judicial inquiry had examined the matters and that Amaechi unsuccessfully challenged its findings in court. The scope and outcome of those proceedings should be checked against the judgments before any conclusion is drawn about personal liability or wrongdoing.
The minister also criticized a possible opposition presidential ticket involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Amaechi. He argued that politicians seeking higher office should be prepared to account for their records in government.
At the same event, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara publicly acknowledged Wike’s political leadership within the coalition and expressed support for Tinubu. Fubara also presented Kingsley Chinda as the coalition’s APC governorship candidate, according to the supplied report.
Chinda promised an inclusive approach to government if elected, while coalition leaders announced plans for a larger campaign event in November.
The gathering highlighted shifting alliances in Rivers politics. It also underscored the need to distinguish campaign accusations from established facts, particularly when allegations concern public funds and identifiable individuals.
