Wike Takes Fresh Swipe at Atiku, Amaechi: “He Is Now Broke”
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has launched another attack on the 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike questioned Atiku’s credibility as an anti-corruption voice while also mocking Amaechi over his recent comments about the economic hardship he experienced while trying to provide medication for his late mother.
Wike’s latest criticism followed comments by Atiku urging Nigerians to accept money offered to them during election campaigns, arguing that such funds could be proceeds of corruption.
Reacting to the statement, Wike questioned whether Atiku had suddenly become an anti-corruption campaigner.
“I saw Atiku on television yesterday, asking Nigerians to take any money given to them by people from the party in power, that it will be stolen money,” Wike said, according to reports.
“I said, haa, Atiku is now an apostle of anti-corruption?”
Wike subsequently referred to past criticism of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as Atiku’s principal during his tenure as vice president.
Atiku is currently the presidential candidate of the ADC for the 2027 election, with Amaechi as his running mate.
The FCT minister also turned his attention to Amaechi, who recently criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Amaechi had said the economic situation had made it difficult for him to afford medication for his late mother, Mary Amaechi. He subsequently linked the issue to his criticism of the Tinubu administration.
Wike challenged Amaechi’s account, pointing to his extensive political career and questioning how someone who had held several major public offices could claim he was unable to afford the medication.
Amaechi previously served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation. Wike also highlighted the reported ₦90 million payment Amaechi made for the ADC presidential nomination form before becoming Atiku’s running mate.
Wike’s remarks have further intensified the political battle between the two former Rivers State governors, who have remained bitter political opponents for years.
While attacking the opposition ticket, Wike made it clear that his current political priority is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
The minister told Rivers stakeholders that he believes Tinubu’s re-election campaign would be easier than the president’s 2023 election campaign.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection,” Wike said.
He also urged Rivers residents to support Tinubu, citing what he described as the administration’s appointments and development initiatives involving people from the state.
The latest exchange is another chapter in the long-running political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi.
In recent days, Wike has repeatedly questioned Amaechi’s political record, challenging supporters of the former governor to identify projects and political empowerment he brought to Rivers State during his 24 years in top political positions.
Wike said Amaechi spent eight years as Speaker, eight years as governor and another eight years as a federal minister, but argued that his impact on Evo Kingdom and Rivers State remained difficult to identify.
Amaechi, meanwhile, has continued to campaign on the ADC platform alongside Atiku, promising that an Atiku-led government would reduce the cost of food, fuel and transportation within its first year in office.
With the 2027 election campaign gradually gathering momentum, the renewed exchanges between Wike, Atiku and Amaechi are expected to remain a major talking point in Rivers State and Nigerian politics.
