Wike Labels Amaechi Corrupt, Admits Love For Money But Denies Graft

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described his predecessor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as one of the most corrupt politicians in Nigeria.

Wike made this assertion during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He accused Amaechi of dishonesty, stating that the former Rivers State governor pretends to dislike money despite his own financial needs.

“He (Amaechi) is one of the most corrupt people,” Wike declared.

When asked whether he himself was corrupt, Wike rejected the notion outright, although he acknowledged his fondness for money.

“Using the word corrupt is wrong because no court has ever found me guilty of corruption,” Wike said. “Yes, I like money; who doesn’t? You can’t claim that because I need money to pay my children’s school fees and take care of my family’s healthcare, I’m corrupt. That’s not corruption.”

He further mocked Amaechi’s public denial of material interests.
“But when a man comes out to say, ‘I don’t like money,’ you know he is a big liar. Everybody needs money to solve problems,” Wike said.

Speaking on his own background, Wike dismissed insinuations about his wealth, emphasizing that his family was never impoverished.

“I’m not from the bush. I’m from Obio/Akpor LGA. On Ikwerre Road, my father was among the few who owned duplexes. We weren’t extremely rich, but certainly not from the level Amaechi came from,” he added.