Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has asked former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to explain how the $308 million reportedly generated from the sale of state-owned gas turbine power plants during his administration was used.
Wike made the statement on Sunday during a town hall meeting with leaders, elders and other stakeholders from Ogbakor Etche in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The minister questioned Amaechi’s record during his eight years as Rivers State governor between 2007 and 2015, as well as his subsequent eight years as Minister of Transportation.
Wike specifically questioned the sale of Rivers State’s gas turbine power stations, asking what happened to the proceeds and what benefits the people of Rivers State received from the transaction.
“Amaechi sold the gas turbine power stations for $308 million. Where is the money? What did Rivers people get from it?” Wike said.
“Rivers people are asking: what happened to the $308 million?”
The controversy surrounding the power plants dates back to a judicial commission of inquiry established to investigate the sale of state assets during Amaechi’s administration.
The commission, headed by Justice George Omeregie, reportedly indicted the former governor over the transaction. Amaechi subsequently challenged the commission’s findings in court.
Wike said the case was dismissed by the High Court, the Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court.
The power plant controversy has focused on questions surrounding the valuation of the assets, the process through which they were sold and the handling of the proceeds.
At the Etche meeting, Wike urged residents to assess political leaders based on their records, projects and contributions to their communities rather than personal loyalty.
He highlighted projects and appointments that he said had benefited the Etche community during his tenure as Rivers State governor.
Wike also called on Rivers residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what he described as the Federal Government’s focus on transparency, the rule of law and infrastructure development.
He said political decisions should be based on policies, development and the benefits delivered to communities.
“Politics is not about what one person will gain. Politics is about what your people will gain,” Wike said.
“Ask yourself: what has this person brought to our people? What has he done to improve the lives of our people? What opportunities have been created?”
The meeting took place amid increasing political activity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike continuing to advocate support for the Tinubu administration.
Before the meeting, Wike visited the family of the late traditional ruler Emmanuel Opurum, who died at the age of 106. He expressed condolences to the family and pledged government support for the burial arrangements.
