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| Wike’s promise demands full NDDC audit release |
When Nyesom Wike spoke on July 4, 2025, he made a firm promise. He told Nigerians he would quit as FCT minister if a key audit report did not back his claim. He said Rotimi Amaechi’s wife got ₦4 billion every month for one year from the NDDC. That totals ₦48 billion .
Wike made his comments on Channels TV’s “Politics Today.” He urged President Tinubu to publish the NDDC forensic audit. He said the audit would prove his point. He blamed former AGF Malami for hiding the report to protect the guilty .
This pledge has stirred debate. Some praise his courage. Others doubt his data. Many ask: will he really step down if he’s wrong? We examine facts, views, and context.
Wike’s claim hinges on a forensic audit of the NDDC. That audit covered 2001–2019 spending. It was meant to expose graft in the oil-rich region. Rivers State governors pressed Buhari in 2020 to order it. The report was completed but never fully released .
Wike points to a section on “training women.” He says that line shows ₦4 billion monthly payments to Amaechi’s wife’s firm. He repeated the figure twice on air. He vowed to resign if the report does not confirm it .
Judith Amaechi served as Rivers State first lady. She championed women’s empowerment from 2007 to 2015. She set up initiatives on health, ICT, and skills training. Her defenders say she won grants for real projects. They call Wike’s number too high and question his source.
Malami’s role is another flashpoint. Wike said Malami “killed that document.” He accused the ex-AGF of shielding those named. Malami left APC for ADC in May 2025. He has since criticized the Tinubu government .
Wike faces a tough choice. If the audit doesn’t vindicate him, he must resign or break his word. A resignation would shake Tinubu’s team and spark fresh crisis. Few ministers last long under such pressure.
Critics ask for proof. They call on the FCT minister to cite exact page and audit line. They want full release, not media sound bites. Some say Wike’s claim echoes past Rivers rifts with Amaechi.
Amaechi led Rivers from 2007 to 2015. Wike then took over. A bitter feud brewed. Amaechi joined APC in 2018. Wike stayed PDP until his FCT post. Their rivalry has run through courts, streets, and TV.
Balanced view sees politics at play. Both men fight for 2027 influence. Amaechi backed a new opposition coalition. Wike is key in Tinubu’s cabinet. Each has motive to weaken the other.
Experts stress need for facts. A public audit release would end rumors. Civil-society groups call on Tinubu to publish the full forensic report. They say transparency builds trust and blocks graft.
Some lawyers note that audit reports can name firms but not link payments to individuals. They urge caution in reading names and figures. They warn that interim media claims may mislead.
Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians watch. Many have faced NDDC delays in local projects. They want answers on roads, schools, and clinics. They ask if billions vanished while they wait for new pipes and books.
If the full audit shows no link between Amaechi’s wife and ₦48 billion, Wike will owe Nigerians an apology and an exit. If it confirms him, the fallout could reach court. A graft probe may follow.
For now, Wike’s resignation pledge stands. He has set a high bar for proof. He said he “does not worship office.” Many will test his resolve.
Only time and a full report can settle this. Nigerians need that audit in hand. They deserve facts, not spin. They need clear numbers and firm actions.
Wike vows to resign as FCT Minister if the NDDC forensic audit fails to indict Amaechi’s wife, whom he alleges received ₦4bn monthly to "train women"
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) July 5, 2025
🎥: Channels TV
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