By Adewunmi Oluwaseun
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his ownership of a Rolls-Royce, stating that he did not need political office to afford luxury, as he hails from a well-off family.
Wike made the remarks on Friday while reacting to comments made by his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, who had questioned his source of wealth during a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Speaking on the same programme, Wike described the allegations as baseless and rooted in ignorance about his background.
“My father was the manager of many companies,” Wike said. “I come from a rich background, not like the Dangotes, but certainly not poor. As a student, I was already using a Mercedes-Benz.”
He insisted that the Rolls-Royce was not a gift from any contractor, but something he bought with his own money.
“I have a Rolls-Royce; nobody gave it to me; I bought it for myself,” Wike affirmed.
The minister accused Amaechi of hypocrisy, saying the former Rivers State governor lives in luxury while claiming to be modest.
“You can’t claim to be a modest man when you own mansions in GRA and prime locations in Abuja,” Wike stated. “He has a house in Guzape. You can’t be poor and own such properties.”
He further accused Amaechi of receiving a luxury car from a contractor while in office; an act he described as bribery.
“Someone said I was given a Rolls-Royce by a contractor. That’s a lie. That’s what he did, not me. That’s why he’s angry,” Wike said.
Describing his former ally as “one of the most corrupt people,” Wike said Amaechi had no moral authority to speak on issues of wealth or integrity.
Responding to a question on whether he is corrupt, Wike denied the allegation, noting that no court has ever convicted him.
“When you use the word corrupt, no court has found me guilty of corruption,” he said.
“I like money. Everyone needs money. I need money to pay school fees and for my family’s healthcare. Does that make me corrupt? No.”
Wike emphasized that his financial background and life choices should not be compared to those of Amaechi.
“I’m not a bush man. I’m from Obio/Akpor. My father was among the few who had duplexes on Ikwerre Road.
“You can’t compare our backgrounds. We are not on the same level,” he said.
Wike and Amaechi, both former governors of Rivers State, have a long history of political rivalry. Their latest exchange adds to a longstanding feud marked by ideological differences and personal animosity.
