‘He’s unfit for VP’: Wike knocks Amaechi, slams NBA for ‘partisanship’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on his longtime political adversary and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, declaring that anyone who once shut down courts is fundamentally unfit to serve as Nigeria’s Vice President.

Speaking on Wednesday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike spared no words as he took aim at both Amaechi and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Addressing journalists, the minister urged Nigerians to critically examine the past actions of political figures claiming to champion democracy and the rule of law before trusting them with high office.

“Rotimi Amaechi, who wants to be vice president today, once shut down the courts in Rivers State and caused a pregnant woman to give birth in prison,” Wike said.

Wike argued that such precedents should automatically disqualify political aspirants from occupying sensitive executive positions, emphasising that a track record of undermining the judiciary cannot be brushed aside.

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The former governor of Rivers State further broadened his critique to target the NBA, accusing the legal body of abandoning its historic role as an impartial defender of justice and constitutionalism in favor of partisan politics.

“The Nigerian Bar Association has now taken sides politically. They are now a political party,” Wike said.

He stressed that the association ought to remain an independent institution dedicated to upholding the rule of law, rather than serving as an arena for political contests or offering platforms that amount to partisan endorsements.