Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused Judith Amaechi, wife of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, of misappropriating N4 billion earmarked for the training of women in the Niger Delta region.
Wike made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed ongoing political tensions with Amaechi, his longtime political rival and predecessor as Rivers governor.
Responding to Amaechi’s recent claims that he deserved respect due to age and political seniority, Wike dismissed the argument, saying: “Respect comes from integrity and honour, not from being 200 years old. He cannot claim superiority over me simply because he governed before I did.”
Wike also challenged Amaechi’s political narrative, recounting his own early career as elected chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in 1998. “I didn’t even know Rotimi back then. I won my election before I ever met him,” he said.
He further alleged that Amaechi’s political rise was facilitated by associates who helped him recover from an earlier electoral loss. Wike then turned his attention to Judith Amaechi, questioning her claim of being an industrialist and linking her to alleged financial misconduct revealed in a yet-to-be-released forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“When did your wife become an industrialist? What company does she own? Selling things doesn’t make you one,” Wike said, while urging politicians to avoid dragging spouses into political disputes.
The former governor said he regretted referencing Judith Amaechi but insisted the alleged N4 billion diversion must be scrutinised. The Amaechis are yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
