Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to identify tangible projects and development initiatives he attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public office.
Wike spoke during an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he also criticised political leaders who, according to him, prioritise personal power over community development and grooming successors.
He said his political philosophy was focused on developing people and creating opportunities for others to rise rather than preventing them from advancing.
“How will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came for you to help, for you to uplift them? But because of your greed, because of your selfishness, you don’t want anybody to reach the level you are.
“You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me,” he said.
Wike questioned Amaechi’s record, noting that he served eight years each as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and Minister of Transportation.
“Someone was Speaker of the House of Assembly for eight years, Governor for eight years, and Minister for eight years – that is 24 years in top leadership positions! What can anybody point to that he attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.
He contrasted Amaechi’s record with his own tenure as Minister of State for Education, saying he could identify projects he facilitated for Rivers State.
The FCT minister also questioned how someone who had spent 24 years in senior political positions without, in his view, empowering others or grooming new leaders could claim to have the interests of his people at heart.
Wike said he was satisfied with his political career and had no ambition to return to offices he had previously occupied.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing! The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life. I can’t be a governor again. I’ve been a minister two times. I cannot be chairman of council again. So I am happy. I don’t have anything to lose,” he said.
He said political leadership should be measured partly by the structures and successors left behind after leaving office.
“What leadership, as you are leaving, what’s the leadership you have kept behind to continue with where you have stopped? Because our problem here is that you just want only yourself. When you die, everything crumbles. That is not our own case,” he stated.
Wike also urged politicians not to place absolute trust in human promises, saying their actions should be guided by faith and personal responsibility.
“As a politician, I know that the only person who will not disappoint is God. So don’t ever believe that a human being will not disappoint you. No matter the love you have, do the best you can do. If the person disappoints you, don’t kill yourself. God will right the wrong,” he said.
He recalled that his administration had restructured the chieftaincy institution to give Evo Kingdom representation on the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
At the meeting, traditional and political leaders, including Eze Temple Ejekwu and Elder Peter Chinwo, President of Evo Assembly, pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition.
