The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said the Federal Government led by the All Progressives Congress is shielding his predecessor, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from being prosecuted for corruption. Governor Wike had recently said the infrastructural development executed by Amaechi’s ministry has political undertone.
Wike said the Federal Government’s action is appalling despite the Minister’s “inability to account for $308 million from the sales of the state-owned power plant and other critical assets when he was the Governor of Rivers State. The Governor said the protection Amaechi is getting is the reason why “he has consistently made efforts to undermine the state government by influencing who is to be posted as Commissioner of Police and General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army to Rivers State. He was quoted in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media), Kevin Ebiri, titled ‘FG shielding Amaechi from prosecution for corruption. He said despite Amaechi’s opposition to his political ambitions, he has been able to get elected twice as governor.
Meanwhile, Ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he won’t join issues with his successor and current governor of the South-South state, Nyesom Wike. Amaechi, who is the Minister of Transportation, stated this while featuring in a Television programmme. The minister was also said to have labeled Wike a “drunk” but speaking on the television programme, Amaechi said he never called the governor a “drunk”. The minister pointed out that he was currently focused on ensuring that railway projects are delivered across Nigeria. Also Amaechi said mischief-makers misinterpreted his recent visit to Taraba State for a wedding mean the flag-off of his presidential campaign.
Wike was my employee, I can’t
bring myself low – Amaechi
“I didn’t say that, that will be disrespectful of a governor; I only say that I don’t make statements under the influence of alcohol. Some people are attaching meaning to what I say.” I don’t think I want to address the issue of the governor, I have made my point, I have moved on. He was my staff, I can’t bring myself low. I was a governor, I was also a speaker, I’m a minister. I was two-term chairman of governors’ forum. The same when I was a speaker. Why should I be discussing about him. “I went to Taraba for a wedding. At the end of the wedding, if you see plenty news that was out of Taraba. Mischievously, it was reported that I went to campaign, campaign to do what? “The election is about two years plus away, am I that rich even if I have ambition? I have told you, can you people allow me do my work? “I am the Minister for Transport and that is my responsibility, nobody should keep talking to me about politics that was why I said on several occasions that I am not a politician. Please allow me do my work.”
You sold our Properties;
FG is protecting you – Wike
“People gave you opportunity. You sold our properties, everything. And people are talking in this state because of the government that says they are fighting corruption and protecting people. You sold our property for $308m and kept for us $208,000. “That is the kind of people parading themselves in government, for a government that says they are fighting corruption, shame.” “They said we will not be Governor, we taught them a lesson in politics. In 2015, they said over their dead body will we be Governor, I’m looking for the dead body. 2019 they said we will not be Governor that they are in power. I said you are not in power, God is in power. We defeated them. They are small kids in politics.” The Governor added, “But let me warn the man who thinks he has President, he has soldiers, he has police. You should have learnt your lesson by now, that when God has left you there is nothing you can do again.”
