July 05, (THEWILL) — Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has responded to public criticism over his recent purchase of a Rolls-Royce, stating emphatically that he bought the luxury vehicle with his own money and owes no one an explanation.
Wike’s remarks come amid public scrutiny over his perceived flamboyant lifestyle while holding public office.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television Programme, the former Rivers governor dismissed the criticism as “noise from idle people”, adding that he is not a poor man and never pretended to be one:
He said, “Yes, I bought a Rolls-Royce. So what? Did anyone give me the money? It is my money. Let me be clear, I am not a poor man. I have served this country and my state. I deserve to enjoy my life. This hypocrisy must stop.”
Wike, known for his fiery rhetoric and unapologetic style, has long maintained that he lives within his means and has always declared his assets. He also used the occasion to challenge anyone with evidence of corruption against him to “go to the EFCC or court.”
Maintaining the long-running rivalry between him and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Wike said the former Transportation Minister lacks the integrity and honour deserving of respect and has no moral ground to claim seniority over him in politics.
“He (Amaechi) cannot claim to be my senior politically. I contested the chairmanship of one of the most important local governments in this country – Obio-Akpor – in 1998, and I won”, he said.
Dismissing the notion that Amaechi was in any way responsible for his political rise, Wike said, “First of all, respect should not come because you’re older or because you were once governor. Respect should come from integrity and honour. You shouldn’t be respected just because you are 200 years old.”
Referring to Amaechi’s political journey, Wike said the former governor had suffered a series of failures early in his career and that he had personally played a key role in assisting him to gain a foothold in Rivers State politics.
“When he was struggling, I was already building a structure. He wanted someone to help him be appointed a lawyer to the Rivers State government. I walked him through. He wrote to the then Director of Civil Litigation. The man was loyal to me”, Wike stated.
Wike went on to challenge Amaechi’s record, noting that he had failed to win his National Assembly bid in 1999 and had only managed to rise through the influence of others.
“He failed the national election. He failed the State Assembly primaries. The so-called human rights man – I can’t even remember what he was fighting for then”, he added, while describing his academic qualifications as less than average.
The FCT Minister also criticised what he called Amaechi’s constant attempt to remind people of his past achievements as though they guaranteed current relevance.
“God gives power to whomever He chooses at the right time. What matters is how you use that power to uplift others, not how many years you’ve been around. He does not even know his left from his right politically. So, how can he claim he made me? It’s unfair”, he said.
Wike also urged President Bola Tinubu to release the report of the forensic audit on the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, which he said indicted Amaechi. He vowed to resign if the report is released and its contents do not indict Amaechi.
Wike further alleged that Amaechi’s wife received N4 billion monthly from the NDDC to train Niger Delta women.
“First of all, Amaechi’s wife was not an industrialist. She has never been, and that is why I call on Mr President to release the forensic audit of NDDC.
“Amaechi’s wife’s company, every month, got N4 billion to train Niger Delta women. That is N48 billion in one year alone, and the forensic audit report is there. Who killed it? It was Malami, then the Attorney General. That is one of the people who is now talking. Mr President should help Nigerians. You see, this is what I have always said. Mr President should help Nigerians. Please, release the forensic audit of the NDDC.
“I have said, let Mr President please do us a favour to release that document. Former Attorney General, Malami, killed that document to protect those who were concerned. I am not just saying what I am saying; let them release the document. If what I am saying is not in the document, I will resign as the Minister of the FCT. I said I will resign. I don’t worship the office. What I am saying is, let them release the forensic audit of the NDDC. I didn’t say the forensic audit was right, but I said, Release the report of the forensic audit. That is how the wife became an industrialist – N4 billion every month to train Niger Delta women”, he stated.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
