On Sunday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike addressed a town‑hall gathering in Ogbakor Etche, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, demanding that former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi explain the whereabouts of the $308 million received from the sale of the state’s gas‑turbine power stations during his tenure.
Wike accused Amaechi of failing to translate his eight years as governor (2007‑2015) and eight years as Minister of Transportation into tangible benefits for Rivers people. “Amaechi sold the gas turbine power stations for $308 million. Where is the money? What did Rivers people get from it?” the minister asked, calling on the community to demand accountability.
He urged Etche residents to reject politicians whose primary concern is political survival rather than community development. Wike highlighted concrete gains he claimed the area had received, including the appointment of Professor Dimiri Mercury as Vice‑Chancellor of Rivers State University, the establishment of the university’s Faculty of Agriculture campus in Etche, and the political appointments of Senator Allwell Onyesoh and House of Representatives member Kelechi Wogu.
“Politics is not about what one person will gain. Politics is about what your people will gain. Ask yourself; what has this person brought to our people? What has he done to improve the lives of our people? What opportunities have been created?”
Earlier in the day, Wike and other political stakeholders paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Etche/Ochie of Etche land, Emmanuel Opurum, who died at 106. The minister pledged support for the family’s burial arrangements.
Wike praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda “offers a new direction for governance” with an emphasis on due process, accountability and development. He urged the people of Etche to align with the President’s development‑oriented agenda rather than loyalty to individual politicians.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are witnessing a system that respects the rule of law and demands absolute transparency from public office holders. Governance is about lifting the people, not about personal aggrandisement or evading lawful inquiries into state properties. When people loot or mismanage the commonwealth, the law must take its course.”
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
