Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over comments he made about President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians who support his re-election bid.
Wike made the call on Friday, while speaking with journalists in Abuja after a meeting with chairmen of the six area councils in the FCT and heads of security agencies.
The minister was reacting to remarks attributed to Amaechi during a town hall meeting organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday.
Amaechi, who is associated with the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections, reportedly described people who would vote for Tinubu as mad people and thieves.
According to reports of the event, the former Rivers State governor challenged voters to reject Tinubu in the next presidential election.
“I read on social media that it is only in 2027 that we will know how many mad men we have in Nigeria. It is only a mad man that can vote for Tinubu.
“If you are not a mad man, then Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi was quoted as saying.
Reacting to the statement, Wike said INEC should not ignore comments that could undermine responsible political engagement ahead of the next general elections.
The FCT minister expressed disappointment that the electoral commission had yet to publicly respond to the remarks, which he described as inappropriate for a politician seeking a prominent position in the country.
“Up till now, I have not heard that INEC has been able to call the attention of Amaechi.
“All of us watched on television yesterday (Thursday) where he said it’s only thieves that can vote for President Tinubu, and that only mad people will go and vote for Tinubu, and that if Edo people vote for him, it means the people are mad,” Wike said.
He argued that politicians should focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and their plans for Nigerians rather than making statements that could be interpreted as insults against voters.
Wike said the position of a political candidate comes with responsibilities, particularly when the individual hopes to occupy a high office in the country.
“This is supposedly a vice-presidential candidate of a political party seeking to take over power and preside over the affairs of this country.
“Not just an ordinary politician — a vice-presidential candidate – telling voters and telling Nigerians that only thieves and mad people will vote for President Tinubu,” he said.
The minister also warned that Amaechi could face difficulties campaigning in Rivers State if he continued making such remarks about Tinubu and his supporters.
“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. We will make it difficult for him.
“You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free,” Wike added.
The FCT minister further called on INEC to enforce electoral regulations and ensure that political parties and candidates conduct their campaigns within the rules governing the electoral process.
“You see, one problem we have in this country is that agencies or commissions should be able to take their functions seriously.
“Many Nigerians have called on INEC to sanction political parties, candidates or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based,” Wike said.
He maintained that political campaigns should provide voters with information about what candidates intend to do if elected, rather than become platforms for personal attacks.
“We have been told to go on campaigns based on issues—what are you going to do for the people—not on attacking personalities or insulting individuals,” he added.
Wike also criticised media organisations for allowing political discussions to focus on insults rather than questioning candidates about their policies and proposed solutions to the country’s problems.
He said journalists should challenge politicians when their statements move away from substantive discussions about governance and public welfare.
