Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has responded strongly to former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, over his recent comment in Edo State where he reportedly said only questionable voters would support President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who spoke to journalists in Abuja after a meeting with FCT Area Council Chairmen, said Amaechi lacks the moral standing to make such a statement and to aspire to the presidency.
According to Wike, Amaechi was quoted as saying that only thieves and unstable persons would vote for President Tinubu. The FCT Minister described the remark as an insult to millions of Nigerians who support the current administration.
“If he said those who want to vote for Tinubu are thieves, is he saying I am a thief? Who can make such a statement?” Wike queried.
The Minister challenged Amaechi’s record as Governor of Rivers State, listing several projects he alleged were paid for but not completed or accounted for during Amaechi’s administration. Among the projects he mentioned were the Justice Karibi-Whyte Hospital, a fumigation contract awarded to a foreign firm, the Port Harcourt monorail project, and the sale of state-owned gas turbines.
Wike noted that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry had indicted the former governor, adding that the matter went up to the Supreme Court.
He also called on the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to caution politicians against using inflammatory language during campaigns.
Wike warned that continued attacks on supporters of the President would be met with political resistance in Rivers State, saying Amaechi would find it difficult to campaign in the state if he continues to label voters in negative terms.
“You cannot call voters names and expect to walk away without a response. Politics should be issue-based,” he said.
On FCT NLC Strike
Wike also reacted to the indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, describing it as political and without justification.
He said the FCT Administration has no outstanding dispute with teachers, adding that all issues raised had already been agreed upon and are being implemented.
“This so-called strike declaration is political and we will not accept it. There is no basis for anybody to call for a strike,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Trade Union Congress, TUC, FCT Council and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, have disassociated themselves from the strike action.
He therefore directed all Area Council Chairmen to call their teachers and civil servants back to work, warning that the administration would enforce a no-work-no-pay policy for those who fail to resume.
Wike alleged that the leadership of the NLC in the FCT is being influenced by political interests, claiming that its chairman has political ties to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
He insisted that the FCT Administration remains committed to workers’ welfare and to resolving all labour matters through dialogue and established channels.
