Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been challenged by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to list the projects and political empowerment he brought to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State over his 24 years in office.
During an interactive meeting with Evo Kingdom leaders and stakeholders in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, Wike challenged Amaechi by raising concerns about the development legacy of his predecessor, who held the positions of governor, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Minister of Transportation.
The FCT minister accused past political leaders of monopolising power and failing to groom successors, insisting that leadership should be measured by its impact on the people and the structures established to sustain development structures.
“Because how will I answer before God if these people could take that kind of risk, and opportunity came up 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,” Wike said.
He added, “You don’t want anybody in Obio-Akpor to be governor again because you have become governor. God will not be happy with me”.
“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!
“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?” Wike queried.
“After all, what do I want that God has not given to me? Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! The only thing I ask from God today is to continue to give me long life,” he said.
“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”.
“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.”
“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.”
Nigerian politicians never cease to amaze. Instead of focusing on ideas and plans for the future, they often dig through one another’s past records to argue over who performed better. It’s a familiar pattern in Nigerian politics and one that leaves many wondering when the focus will shift to accountability and meaningful progress
