The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned that it may be difficult for former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to campaign in Rivers State if he continues attacking President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction Amaechi over his reported description of Tinubu’s supporters as “thieves” and “mad men”, accusing the electoral umpire of failing to address personal attacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The minister issued the warning in Abuja on Friday, insisting that politicians should campaign on their records, policies and programmes rather than resort to insults.
Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly made the controversial remarks during a town hall meeting in Edo State on Thursday, where he urged residents to reject Tinubu and support the opposition.
“They are going about saying, ‘Vote Tinubu! Vote Tinubu!’ Only thieves can vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi was quoted as saying.
Reacting, Wike expressed disappointment that INEC had yet to publicly call out the former governor over the remarks.
“Many Nigerians have called INEC to sanction political parties, and candidates, or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based,” Wike said.
He questioned why the commission had not addressed what he described as personal attacks by Amaechi, arguing that politicians should be held accountable for their campaign statements.
But beyond demanding action from INEC, Wike issued a warning that could set the stage for another political confrontation in Rivers State, where both men have deep political roots.
“If he continues along this line, it may be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. And I want somebody to go and write it down. Because we will not take that. We will not,” the minister declared.
Wike said Amaechi should concentrate on explaining what he would do differently from the current administration instead of attacking Tinubu and those supporting his re-election bid.
The minister also challenged Amaechi to account for projects and transactions undertaken during his tenure as Rivers governor, raising questions about the state’s monorail project, a cassava flour mill, a fumigation contract and the sale of a state-owned gas turbine.
He specifically questioned the reported $10 million payment to a Cuban company for a fumigation contract, the N68 billion monorail project and the reported $308 million gas turbine transaction.
“Ask him the $10 million USD you paid to a Cuban company to fumigate Rivers State so there will be no mosquito bite. Up till now, mosquito has been biting Rivers people, including myself,” Wike said.
He also asked what had become of the monorail project and challenged Amaechi to explain the gas turbine transaction.
Wike further alleged that Amaechi had been indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and called on him to explain the outcome of the proceedings.
The minister’s warning adds another flashpoint to the political battle ahead of the 2027 elections, with the dispute now extending beyond campaign rhetoric to the prospect of a confrontation over Amaechi’s political activities in Rivers State.
However, Wike’s statement did not establish what specific action, if any, would be taken to prevent Amaechi from campaigning in the state. His comments also came amid his demand that INEC take action over the ADC chieftain’s remarks.
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