Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi that he could face resistance while campaigning in Rivers State if he continues to insult supporters of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike spoke in Abuja on Friday after meeting with FCT area council chairmen, reacting to remarks attributed to Amaechi that only “thieves and mad people” would vote for Tinubu.

The minister described the statement as an insult to the President’s supporters and challenged Amaechi to account for projects and public funds allegedly mishandled during his tenure as governor.

“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers State. We will make it difficult for him.

“You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free,” Wike said.

He also questioned Amaechi’s presidential ambition and criticised the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what he described as unacceptable campaign rhetoric.

Wike urged journalists to question Amaechi about projects undertaken during his administration, citing the $39 million Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital project, which he alleged was fully paid for but never constructed.

He also questioned a reported $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban firm to combat mosquitoes and the abandoned N68 billion Port Harcourt monorail project.

The FCT minister further revisited the sale of Rivers State’s gas turbine power assets, alleging that $308 million in proceeds from the transaction had not been properly accounted for.

“He was indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and lost his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,” Wike said.

He faulted the media for giving Amaechi a platform to criticise Tinubu and his supporters without, in his view, sufficiently questioning him about allegations surrounding his time as governor.