The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his threat to make campaigning difficult for the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, in Rivers State.
Politics Nigeria reports that the party said Wike had no legal or moral authority to prevent Amaechi from campaigning in the state.
It insisted that Rivers residents had the constitutional right to choose their preferred political leaders.
The ADC was reacting to a statement attributed to Wike on Friday that Amaechi could face difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continued making comments against President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s state publicity secretary, Chizy Eneyi, accused the minister of resorting to personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations instead of engaging in issue-based political debate.
Eneyi said the party would ordinarily have ignored Wike’s remarks but decided to respond because of the implications of his threat against an opposition candidate.
The ADC also questioned Wike’s allegations against Amaechi, recalling that the minister had served as chief of staff to the former Rivers State governor and later held a ministerial position under the same administration.
It asked why Wike, who governed Rivers State for eight years, had not pursued the alleged financial misconduct through the appropriate legal channels if he possessed evidence against Amaechi.
“Eight years as governor, yet the evidence apparently only comes out whenever Amaechi speaks. What an extraordinary coincidence!” the statement said.
The ADC maintained that allegations made during political exchanges could not replace evidence required for prosecution, urging Wike to submit any material he had to the relevant authorities.
It added that Nigerians deserved verifiable facts rather than accusations exchanged between political figures.
The party expressed particular concern over Wike’s warning about Amaechi’s planned campaign activities in Rivers State, describing the remark as troubling in a democratic system.
It argued that neither Amaechi nor the ADC needed the minister’s permission to enter the state, campaign or seek votes from residents.
“Rivers State belongs to Rivers people, not to any individual, however powerful he imagines himself to be,” the statement added.
The party also urged security agencies to take note of Wike’s comments and ensure that the constitutional rights and safety of all political actors were protected.
This was just as the ADC said the minister’s remarks raised concerns about the freedom of opposition parties to carry out political activities in the state without intimidation.
It further questioned Wike’s involvement in Amaechi’s political activities, arguing that the minister should concentrate on his responsibilities in the Federal Capital Territory rather than engage in personal exchanges with the opposition figure.
According to the party, political disagreements should be settled through policy debates and democratic competition, not threats or personal insults.
The ADC said it remained focused on presenting Nigerians with an alternative political platform, promoting accountable leadership and ensuring that Rivers residents could freely determine their political future.
It also questioned why Wike continued to respond to Amaechi’s comments if, as the minister’s critics suggest, the former governor had little political relevance.
The party concluded that no individual could claim ownership of Rivers State or determine which political candidates were permitted to campaign there.
Wike had, on Friday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction politicians who engaged in personal attacks instead of issue-based campaigns.
The minister made the remarks in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with chairmen of the six area councils and security operatives.
He criticised comments attributed to Amaechi concerning Tinubu and his supporters, insisting that election campaigns should focus on candidates’ programmes and policies rather than personal insults.
