Wike Slams Amaechi Over Comments About Wife, Mother in Tinubu Criticism

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over comments involving his wife and mother during his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Wike accused Amaechi of dragging family members into political arguments, describing his remarks as disrespectful to both his mother and wife.

The FCT minister spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, while reacting to Amaechi’s reported statement that he would have distanced himself from his wife if she were Nigeria’s president and governed the country like Tinubu.

Questioning why Amaechi had involved his wife in the political debate, Wike said the former governor’s comments were inappropriate.

“Why do you have to bring your wife now into politics?” he asked.

Wike also recalled an earlier controversy in which Amaechi reportedly linked his mother’s death to a policy of the Tinubu administration.

He criticised the former governor for bringing his wife into the latest political argument, questioning why an individual not holding public office should become a subject of political attacks.

“A man who does not respect his mother now has done to the wife, for Christ sake, why an innocent woman?” Wike said.

He further questioned Amaechi’s claim, arguing that the former governor knew his wife would not become president and describing the remark as irresponsible.

Wike also raised questions about an alleged contract involving the Niger Delta Development Commission, claiming that it was awarded to Amaechi’s wife. He challenged the former governor to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged contract.

“Your contract in NDDC was it done? Was it not given to the wife? Why always bring out your wife, why didn’t you divorce your wife then?” Wike asked.

Amaechi’s reported comments about his wife came amid the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, his response to Wike’s latest criticism was not included in the available account.