Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has defended his lifestyle and ownership of a Rolls Royce, insisting that his wealth did not come from public office but a comfortable family background.
He stated this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The Minister denied allegations of corruption and extravagance, adding that nobody can do without money and that liking money does not make him corrupt.
Wike’s remarks were a response to former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who had earlier questioned Wike’s source of wealth, particularly his ability to afford a Rolls Royce while serving in public office.
Amaechi alluded that the vehicle was inconsistent with modest public service.
Wike, however, said his critics don’t know anything about his upbringing and personal history.
“My father was the manager of so many companies. I come from a rich background, not too rich like the Dangotes, but certainly not poor. I did not come from the same background as Rotimi Amaechi. As a student, I was using a Mercedes Benz,” he said.
He denied accepting a luxury car bribe as a gift from a contractor.
“I have a Rolls Royce. Nobody gave it to me. I bought it for myself,” he said.
Wike accused Amaechi of double standards, saying the former Minister of Transportation lives lavishly while pretending otherwise in public.
“You cannot claim to be a modest man when you own mansions in GRA and prime locations in Abuja. I will tell you his house in Guzape, where I live. You cannot be a poor man and have all these properties. His house is in GRA,” Wike said.
He said Amaechi was bitter because of past actions he could not hide.
“Someone said I was given a Rolls Royce by a contractor. That is a lie. That is what he did, not me. That is why he is angry. He took a car from someone doing a job for him. That is bribery, not what I did,” he said.
Wike accused Amaechi as one of the most corrupt people, saying the former governor lacked the moral standing to criticise anyone.
He also challenged Amaechi’s claim of not being interested in money.
“But when a man comes to the public to say, ‘I do not like money,’ you know he is a big liar because he needs money to solve his problems,” Wike said.
Wike denied being corrupted and insisted that there is no legal judgment against him.
“When you use the word corrupt, no court has found me guilty of corruption,” he said.
“I like money. Nobody can do without money. You cannot say because I said I need money to solve problems, therefore I am corrupt. No. I need money to pay my children’s school fees. I need money for my family’s healthcare. Does that make me corrupt? No.
“I am not a bush man. I am from Obio Akpor LGA. If you go to Ikwerre Road, my father is one of the few people who had duplexes there. Not too rich, but not from the level Amaechi came from. You cannot compare where I came from with where others came from. We are not on the same level,” he said.
