N82m Dinner: Take Me To Court If You Can—Amaechi To Wike

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has reacted to allegations against him by the Rivers State government that he spent N82 million to host Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, when he was the governor of the state.

Amaechi governed Rivers for eight years from 2007—2015 and has been engaging in a war with his successor, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking through his media office on Wednesday, the Minister challenged Wike to go to court if he has any evidence against his administration.

Amaechi described Wike as a liar, urging him to “stop these silly distractions.” He accused the Wike administration of doing everything possible to smear him.

“Wike must stop these silly distractions. Rivers people are not interested in his lies and witch-hunt. Rather, Rivers people want to know what will happen to their children that he stopped and cancelled the funding of their scholarships abroad.

“Rivers people want to know why the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), an agency setup by law is no longer functioning under Wike? Why instead of quality education, a standard set by his predecessor, under Wike, grasses and weeds have taken over the beautiful schools built by Amaechi?

“Rivers people want to know why the standard health facilities and services put in place by the Amaechi administration are rotting away, not this petty rambling. Rivers people want to know why the Wike government does not care about the security of their lives and property, as violence and criminals have taken over.

Rivers people want to know why it feels as if there is no government in Rivers State, and this is in spite of the billions of naira that has accrued to the Wike administration and the tens of billions of naira borrowed,” the statement said.