By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said his predecessor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has done nothing to show for 24 years as Speaker, Governor and Minister.
He challenged the people of Evo Kingdom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State to point to any tangible development or political empowerment Amaechi attracted to their land.
According to a statement on Friday night by Lere Olayinka, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, the minister spoke at an interactive session with leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom.
“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 was attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!” Wike said.
He drew a contrast with his own record. “I was a Minister of State for Education, and as I sit here, I can count the projects I brought to Rivers State and my people. But somebody was speaker, governor, and headed a very lucrative ministry as a full minister for eight years, yet brought nothing back home! How can someone who spent 24 years in power without empowering his people or raising new leaders now turn around to tell you he loves you?” he asked.
Wike also reiterated his decision to resign as minister should President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lose in Rivers State and the FCT.
He made the declaration at a strategic consultative meeting with stakeholders of Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor on Friday, where he rallied the political structure of Rivers State behind the President.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” he said.
He said politics was driven by the collective interest of the people and not by perpetual animosity. “There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest. It is all about the interest of our people. The more you are in number, the happier you become. Leadership is like a wastebasket. If you cannot absorb things, both the good and the bad, then you cannot be a true leader,” he said.
Wike told political actors in the state not to be distracted by social media criticism of his open-door policy towards former detractors, saying true political strength lies in numbers.
He demanded an all-inclusive campaign structure across Obio-Akpor. “Whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now,” he said, adding, “For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together.”
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