The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday declared former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, unfit to become Nigeria’s Vice-President, alleging that he undermined the judiciary while serving as governor.
Wike made the declaration during his monthly media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he also accused the Nigerian Bar Association of abandoning its traditional role of defending the rule of law and becoming politically partisan.
The FCT minister urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records of politicians seeking sensitive public offices, particularly those portraying themselves as champions of democracy and constitutional governance.
Wike, who has been engaged in a long-running political battle with Amaechi, said a politician’s past conduct should not be overlooked simply because the individual was seeking another 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 alleged.
The minister argued that actions capable of undermining judicial independence should form part of the criteria for determining whether a politician is suitable for a sensitive constitutional position.
According to him, Nigerians must look beyond political slogans and examine the records of those seeking their votes.
Wike also took aim at the NBA, accusing the association of abandoning its traditional responsibility to defend judicial independence and uphold the rule of law.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has now taken sides politically. They are now a political party,” he declared.
He questioned the propriety of the NBA providing platforms for politicians whose past conduct, according to him, raised questions about their commitment to democratic institutions.
The minister insisted that the NBA should remain an independent professional body committed to justice, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Wike maintained that the association should not become an arena for partisan political contests, particularly at a time when Nigerians were expected to carefully assess the records of politicians seeking top public offices.
