The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, says he has taught the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a lesson in politics.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, his Special Assistant (Media), Kevin Ebiri, quoted the governor as saying despite Amaechi’s opposition to his political ambition, he has been able to get elected twice as governor.
“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,” he said.
He also accused the federal government of shielding Amaechi from prosecution for corruption.
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.”
“People gave you an opportunity. You (Amaechi) sold our property for $308 Million and kept $208,000 for us,” he said.
“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.”
Amaechi governed Rivers between 2007 and 2015 and Wike was one of his allies.
Wike had served as Amaechi’s chief of staff before he got appointed a minister of state for education.
Governor Nyesom Wike fell out with Chibuike Amaechi in the buildup to the 2015 election.
