The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has criticised the idea of pairing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar with his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike said if Atiku was bad, pairing him with Amaechi has made it worse, adding that the latter made an already weak team worse.
Speaking at a Rainbow Coalition event in Rivers State, Wike insisted that the ADC’s presidential ticket is not credible, adding that Atiku and Amaechi should be judged based on their work in public office.
Wike said, “As bad as the Atiku ticket is, putting Rotimi Amaechi as vice president makes it even worse. It is important to show your report card.”
He asked Atiku to explain his achievements during his eight years as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, from 1999 to 2007.
Wike specifically questioned Atiku’s role in the government’s privatisation efforts.
He said: “Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president, but a very powerful one.
“He was in charge of privatisation and everything related to government-owned companies and industries.
“Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No.”
Wike also mentioned past criticisms from former President Obasanjo, including reports that Obasanjo expressed regret over supporting Atiku’s rise as vice-president.
He encouraged Nigerians to take this into account when thinking about Atiku’s new presidential bid.
Turning to Amaechi, Wike raised questions about several financial deals and projects during his time as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015.
He asked for explanations about the reported sale of a gas turbine for $308 million in December 2014, the alleged $39 million spent on a proposed specialist hospital, and the $68 billion for the state’s monorail project.
He also questioned the $10 million spent on a mosquito-control programme.
Wike asked, “Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the $68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?”
He stressed that politicians seeking higher office must be honest about how they handled public money before asking Nigerians for another chance to run the country.