Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has slammed former Governors of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, for questioning his source of wealth.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Ameachi had questioned Wike’s ownership of a Rolls Royce, suggesting that his lifestyle and that of a public servant are inconsistent.
Reacting to the remarks, on the same programme on Friday, Wike said he came from a rich background and that he bought the Rolls Royce by himself.
He noted that his father was a manager of several companies, and he already owned a Mercedes Benz as a student.
“My father was the manager of so many companies,” he said. “I come from a rich background — not too rich like the Dangotes, but certainly not poor.
“I didn’t come from the same background as Rotimi Amaechi. As a student, I was using a Mercedes Benz. “I have a Rolls-Royce; nobody gave it to me — I bought it for myself.”
Wike slammed the former Minister of Transportation, saying he owns properties in upscale areas in Rivers State and in the FCT despite attempts to project himself as modest person.
“You can’t claim to be a modest man when you own mansions in GRA and prime locations in Abuja,” the Minister said. “I will tell you his house in Guzape, where I live. You can’t be a poor man and have all these properties; his house is in GRA.”
Wike also accused Ameachi of collecting gifts from contractors, hence the reason for questioning his ownership of the car.
“Someone said I was given a Rolls-Royce by a contractor,” he continues. “That’s a lie. That’s what he did, not me.
“That’s why he’s angry. He took a car from someone doing a job for him. That’s bribery, not what I did.”
He described Amaechi as a “corrupt person” and challenged his claim of being indifferent to money.
He also denied being corrupt, saying no court has found him guilty of corruption but reiterated his love for money.
“When you use the word corrupt, no court has found me guilty of corruption,” he added.
“I like money; nobody can do without money. You can’t say because I said I need money to solve problems, therefore, I’m corrupt. No.
“I need money to pay my children’s school fees. I need money for my family’s healthcare. Does that make me corrupt? No.
“I’m not a bush man. I’m from Obio/Akpor LGA, if you go to Ikwerre Road, my father is one of the few people who had duplexes there. Not too rich, but not from the level Amaechi came from, no.
“You cannot compare where I came from with where others (Amaechi) came from. We are not on the same level.”
