‘My father was manager of many companies’ — Wike defends use of Rolls-Royce

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says his critics are ignorant of his background and upbringing.

Wike was reacting to comments by Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers, who questioned his source of wealth during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Amaechi had raised eyebrows over Wike’s ownership of a Rolls-Royce, suggesting the vehicle was inconsistent with a life of public service.

However, in a response on Friday, Wike said he has always had access to wealth and did not rely on public office to acquire luxury.

“My father was the manager of so many companies,” the FCT minister said during the same programme on Channels TV.

“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.

The minister dismissed suggestions that the Rolls-Royce was a gift, insisting he paid for it himself.

“I have a Rolls-Royce; nobody gave it to me — I bought it for myself,” Wike said.

He accused Amaechi of hypocrisy, saying the former governor also lives a life of wealth despite claiming otherwise.

“You can’t claim to be a modest man when you own mansions in GRA and prime locations in Abuja,” Wike 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 alleged that while Amaechi projects simplicity in public, he owns properties in upscale areas of Port Harcourt and the federal capital.

He further claimed Amaechi was bitter because he could not hide his shady dealings.

“Someone said I was given a Rolls-Royce by a contractor. That’s a lie. That’s what he did, not me,” Wike said.

“That’s why he’s angry. He took a car from someone doing a job for him. That’s bribery, not what I did.”

Describing Amaechi as “one of the most corrupt people”, Wike said the former governor lacked the moral authority to criticise anyone.

The FCT minister also challenged Amaechi’s claim of being indifferent to money.

“But when a man comes to the public to say, ‘I don’t like money,’ you know he is a big liar because he needs money to solve his problems,” he said.

Asked if he is corrupt, Wike denied the charge, saying there is no legal conviction against him.

“When you use the word corrupt, no court has found me guilty of corruption,” he said.

“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.”

Wike and Amaechi, both former governors of Rivers, have long been political rivals.

Their latest spat adds to a years-long feud rooted in their contrasting political ambitions and personal differences.