Judith Amaechi Fires Back at Wike Over ₦4bn NDDC Claim, Demands Apology

Judith Amaechi, wife of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed as “absurd” and “baseless” recent allegations made by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing her of receiving ₦4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for women empowerment and training programmes.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by her spokesperson, Dike Bekwele, Judith denied ever receiving such funds and rejected Wike’s claim that she had been indicted in a corruption probe related to the NDDC.

“Dame Amaechi did not and has never received four billion naira monthly payments (₦4,000,000,000.00) from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC,” the statement read.

She went on to describe Wike’s allegations as nothing more than “a subtle blackmail to score cheap political goals.”

Judith also addressed Wike’s remarks about the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a nonprofit she runs, clarifying the nature of its collaboration with the NDDC.

“The partnership between the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) and the NDDC is reciprocal, to jointly fund human capacity programmes and trainings for the teeming youths and women; supporting nano, micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs, and its entrepreneurial development centre for youths and women of the Niger Delta Region,” the statement added.

According to her, Wike’s claim that she or ESI was named in the NDDC forensic audit report was entirely false and misleading.

“It will be preposterous for Wike to allege that the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) or Dame Judith Amaechi was indicted in the NDDC forensic audit report, which has not been published to the Nigerian Public. It is both absurd, baseless, and a mere figment of Mr. Wike’s imagination,” she stated.

Judith challenged the FCT Minister to publicly release his version of the audit report if it indeed implicates her or her organisation. She further demanded his resignation should he fail to produce the evidence.

“In the likely event that Wike fails to provide such report, then we challenge Mr. Wike 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 concluded.

The two political figures—Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike—share a long and fractious history, both having served as governors of Rivers State. Once political allies, their relationship has since turned into a prolonged rivalry marked by frequent public accusations and political clashes.