Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has condemned what he described as the persistent and unwarranted attacks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that the reported threat to prevent Amaechi from campaigning in Rivers State is a disturbing manifestation of act of stupidity, political intolerance and desperation.
Reacting to remarks attributed to Wike during an engagement with stakeholders of Evo Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where the FCT Minister reportedly questioned what Amaechi achieved or attracted to Evo Kingdom and Rivers State during his 24 years in public service, Chief Eze described the comments as calculated attempt to diminish Amaechi’s political legacy while diverting public attention from the pressing challenges confronting Rivers State and Nigeria.
Chief Eze wondered why Wike, who rose through the political ranks during Amaechi’s administration, has continued to make the former governor a recurring subject of his political attacks rather than concentrate on presenting his own record and vision to the Nigerian people.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand the FCT Minister’s persistent preoccupation with Amaechi. If Wike believes that repeatedly attacking his former political benefactor will enhance his relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections, then he is gravely mistaken. Political relevance cannot be sustained by perpetual hostility, and no amount of verbal aggression can rewrite history or erase the contributions of a man who has occupied significant positions of public responsibility.”
The ADC chieftain maintained that Amaechi’s 24 years in public service cannot be dismissed through political rhetoric, selective recollections or partisan propaganda.
Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation under the Federal Government of President Mohammadu Buhari. According to Chief Eze, these positions confer a responsibility to subject his record to objective scrutiny rather than permit political opponents to substitute personal animosity for historical assessment.
“Whether one agrees with Amaechi politically or not, it is intellectually dishonest to suggest that 24 years in public service amount to nothing. The proper question is not whether Wike approves of Amaechi, but whether the former governor’s policies, projects, institutional interventions and contributions to public life withstand objective examination. History must be written on the strength of evidence, not the convenience of political rivalry.”
Chief Eze challenged Wike to allow the people of Rivers State to assess the performance of successive administrations on their merits, insisting that no individual possesses the authority to dictate what the people should remember, appreciate or condemn about their political history.
He emphasised that public service should be evaluated against tangible outcomes, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, institutional development, economic opportunities and improvements in the welfare of the citizenry.
The ADC chieftain expressed particular concern over the reported threat by Wike to stop Amaechi from campaigning in Rivers State, describing such a position, if accurately reported, as incompatible with the spirit of democratic competition.
“Threatening to prevent a political opponent from campaigning does not demonstrate political strength; it raises questions about confidence in the democratic process. In a constitutional democracy, no politician, irrespective of his present office, political influence or connections, should behave as though he possesses the authority to determine who may participate in lawful political activities.
“If Wike believes that Amaechi has lost his political relevance, he should allow the electorate to make that determination at the ballot box. Democracy is not sustained by threats, intimidation or attempts to exclude political opponents. It is sustained by persuasion, competition and the freedom of the people to make informed choices.”
Chief Eze further observed that a politician confident in his record should have little reason to expend so much energy attacking a predecessor. He challenged Wike to direct his attention towards the responsibilities of his office and the practical issues affecting Nigerians rather than allow personal political disagreements to dominate public discourse.
According to him, the reported threat against Amaechi is liable to reinforce the perception that the former governor remains a significant factor in Rivers State’s political calculations.
“Wike should understand that political influence is not extinguished by denunciation. If Amaechi is as irrelevant as his critics would have the public believe, why the persistent attacks and the reported determination to prevent him from campaigning? A confident politician welcomes competition; it is political insecurity that often seeks refuge in exclusion.”
Chief Eze cautioned against efforts to manipulate the electorate through political patronage, inducements and temporary benefits, stressing that the people of Rivers State are politically conscious citizens who possess the constitutional right to determine their representatives and leaders.
He also expressed reservations about political realignments surrounding the forthcoming elections, including the activities of the Rainbow Coalition, warning that attempts to manipulate political structures for personal advantage could ultimately prove counterproductive.
“The politics of 2027 will not be settled by one individual, one coalition or one political structure. It will be determined by the people, the credibility of the candidates, the persuasiveness of their programmes and the electorate’s assessment of their records. Those who underestimate the political intelligence of Rivers people may be preparing themselves for an unpleasant surprise.”
Chief Eze urged Wike to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and allow the people of Rivers State the freedom to engage with competing political ideas without intimidation, coercion or unnecessary antagonism.
He reiterated that the political future of Rivers State should be determined by the electorate and not by the personal preferences or ambitions of any political figure.
“Wike cannot erase Amaechi’s place in Rivers State’s political history by repeatedly attacking him, just as he cannot strengthen his own political standing merely by attempting to diminish another man’s reputation. The electorate deserves facts, credible programmes and demonstrable achievements, not an endless succession of personal attacks.
“Rather than threaten to stop Amaechi from campaigning, Wike should permit the democratic process to take its course. If he is confident in his political standing, he should have nothing to fear from the freedom of the people to listen, compare and decide.”
Chief Eze called on the people of Rivers State to remain vigilant, reject political intimidation and demand accountability from every political actor, irrespective of status or influence. He urged them to scrutinise the records of those seeking their support and exercise their democratic rights freely and responsibly.
He concluded that the forthcoming political contest would provide an opportunity for the electorate to demonstrate that the sovereignty of a democracy ultimately resides with the people.
“In the final analysis, the future of Rivers State cannot be dictated by the loudest voice, the most powerful political structure or the most aggressive political actor. It belongs to the people. No individual can permanently intimidate a politically conscious electorate or monopolise its choices. In 2027, the people of Rivers State must be allowed to speak freely, choose wisely and determine their own political destiny.”
