Nyesom Wike Demands Sanctions Against Rotimi Amaechi Over Insults
Minister Nyesom Wike called for sanctions against vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi after Amaechi described supporters of President Bola Tinubu as madmen and thieves.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission sanction Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress. The dispute follows remarks Amaechi made in Benin City, where he stated that only "mad people and thieves" would vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Wike responded by calling Amaechi a "lunatic" and questioning his fitness for the presidency. He accused the former Rivers State governor of financial mismanagement, specifically citing an alleged $39 million payment for a non-existent cassava flour mill, a $10 million mosquito fumigation deal, a ₦68 billion monorail project, and the $308 million sale of a state gas turbine. Wike warned that such rhetoric would make it difficult for Amaechi to campaign in Rivers State.
Simultaneously, Wike dismissed an indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress as politically motivated blackmail. He alleged that NLC Chairman Stephen Knabayi is using the action for political gain due to ties with the ADC. Wike implemented a "no work, no pay" policy for striking teachers and civil servants and ordered the removal of unapproved beer parlours in the Guzape-Asokoro axis of Abuja for security reasons.
