Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, to account for a $10 million fumigation project executed during his administration.
Wike threw the challenge during a media chat on Tuesday, while responding to questions on why he has been critical of Amaechi.
He denied that he was targeting the former governor, saying Amaechi should expect public scrutiny because of his ambition to become Nigeria’s vice-president.
“You can’t just want to run for a position without anybody telling you the past. So, let Nigerians judge if all these things are correct,” Wike said.
The FCT minister recalled that Amaechi had promised to rid Rivers State of mosquitoes and malaria through a large-scale fumigation exercise.
“You told Rivers people that you’re going to fumigate the state so they won’t be suffering from malaria, and you paid 10 million dollars to a company in Cuba”, adding that “Could you tell Nigerians what is the effect of that fumigation?” Wike queried.
He also faulted Amaechi for making allegations against President Bola Tinubu and members of his administration, including describing the President as a thief.
Wike argued that such statements against a sitting president have implications beyond the individual in office and therefore require scrutiny.
He said while he has no objection to Amaechi criticising Tinubu, the former governor must be ready to answer questions about his own record in public office rather than presenting himself as an exemplary leader while seeking votes.
