Amaechi’s wife reacts to Wike’s claims of receiving N4bn monthly from NDDC

Judith Amaechi, wife of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed as “absurd and baseless” allegations that she collected N4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through her non-governmental organization.

The claim was made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a recent television interview. Wike alleged that Mrs. Amaechi’s NGO, Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), received a total of N48 billion from NDDC for women empowerment programmes, citing an unpublished forensic audit report.

In a statement released Tuesday, July 22, by her spokesperson, Dike Bekwele, Mrs. Amaechi denied the allegation and challenged Wike to produce evidence.

“Dame Amaechi did not and has never received four billion naira monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission,” the statement read.

According to her, ESI only partnered with the NDDC on mutually funded human capacity development programmes for youths and women in the Niger Delta.

She described Wike’s allegation as “a subtle blackmail to score cheap political points” and urged him to publish his version of the forensic audit report to back up his claim.

“In the likely event that Wike fails to provide such report, then we challenge him to actuate his boast and make bold to tender his resignation as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, forthwith with an unreserved apology to the Nation,” the statement added.