Wike Unleashes Fury: 'Lunatic' Blast Rocks Amaechi Over Anti-Tinubu Remarks

The political landscape in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been ignited by a fierce verbal confrontation between Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. Wike, expressing visible anger, vehemently declared that individuals he labeled as “bloody thieves” and “lunatics,” specifically referencing Amaechi, would never be permitted to become president of Nigeria. His strong remarks came in response to Amaechi’s earlier criticisms of President Tinubu’s supporters.

Amaechi had made these controversial statements during a town hall meeting in Edo State, where he urged residents to reject President Tinubu and support the opposition party in upcoming elections. He explicitly stated, “Only thieves can vote for Tinubu” and further asserted, “Because it’s only a mad people that can vote for Tinubu. If Edo people vote for President Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad.” Amaechi also accused the Tinubu administration of prioritizing projects based on alleged financial interests rather than the broader economic needs of Nigerians. He cited the planned construction of another seaport in Ogun State as an example, questioning the economic justification for such a project given the state's cargo production, and implying it was driven by personal monetary gain from the construction. Furthermore, Amaechi cautioned opposition supporters against political apathy, urging them to actively participate if they desired a change in government. On the critical issue of fuel subsidy, Amaechi, as the ADC vice presidential candidate, proposed reintroducing a “production subsidy.” This model would involve the government setting differential crude oil prices for domestic refineries, selling crude at a lower price to Nigerian refiners than on the international market. The price difference would then translate into a subsidy, reducing the pump price of fuel and, consequently, the cost of other goods.

Wike, taking strong exception to Amaechi's comments, questioned Amaechi's moral standing and integrity. He retorted, “A lunatic cannot preside over the affairs of this country! He said those who want to vote for Tinubu are thieves. So, I’m a thief? That’s what he’s saying.” Wike went further, challenging Amaechi’s character by asking, “who can be a bigger thief than Amaechi? Ask him who has been his psychiatric doctor.” Wike issued a stern warning, stating that if Amaechi continued to insult the President’s supporters, it would become difficult for him to campaign in his home state of Rivers.

The FCT Minister then launched a series of serious allegations against Amaechi, directly linking them to his tenure as governor of Rivers State. Wike challenged journalists to hold Amaechi accountable for what he described as multi-million-dollar projects with unaccounted funds. Among the specific allegations were: $39 million paid for the Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital, which Wike claimed was never built; a $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban firm for mosquito elimination, deemed a waste of public funds; the abandonment of the N68 billion monorail project in Port Harcourt; and the alleged looting of $308 million from the sale of state-owned gas turbines. Wike emphasized that Amaechi was “a known thief who was indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry and lost his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,” expressing dismay that the media allowed such a figure to publicly accuse the President and voters of being thieves.