From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has challenged former Governor Chibuike Amaechi to respond to corruption allegations levelled against him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Dike made the call in Port Harcourt yesterday, following recent allegations by Wike that Amaechi misappropriated public funds during his tenure as governor, including money purportedly allocated for fumigation, hospital construction and the sale of gas turbines.
Wike had alleged that Amaechi spent $10 million on fumigation in Rivers State without carrying out the exercise.
He also alleged that $39 million was spent on construction of a hospital that was never built, while proceeds from the sale of gas turbines amounting to $308 million were allegedly squandered through Bureau de Change (BDC) transactions.
The FCT Minister was quoted as challenging Amaechi to account for the alleged expenditures rather than rely on their former political relationship to dismiss the issues.
Wike reportedly expressed displeasure over what he considered Amaechi’s attempt to avoid responding to the allegations by referring to their past relationship when he served as governor and Wike was a member of his administration.
Reacting to the controversy, Dike said Amaechi’s response that Wike was once his subordinate did not address the substance of the allegations.
He described the response as “a non sequitur, a logical fallacy on which a conclusion does not follow from the preceding argument or statement.”
Dike maintained that the former governor should address the specific allegations and provide explanations concerning the projects and transactions mentioned by Wike, rather than rely on their former political differences.
He said allegations involving public funds deserved serious attention, stressing that public office holders should be prepared to account for their stewardship when questions are raised about their handling of public resources.
The APC stalwart also expressed concern over the prospect of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Amaechi emerging as leaders of the country, arguing that the allegations against the former Rivers governor raised questions that should be addressed before Nigerians make their political choices.
The lawyer and politician declared that “the country’s commonwealth must be protected from perceived corrupt politicians seeking public office,” insisting that “Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability from those seeking to occupy the highest offices in the land.”