Wike urges INEC to address remarks attributed to Amaechi

Nyesom Wike urged Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission to address remarks attributed to Rotimi Amaechi about people who vote for President Bola Tinubu, saying political campaigns should focus on issues rather than personal attacks. Wike also warned that Amaechi could face difficulty campaigning in Rivers State if he continued making such comments. Wike spoke to journalists in Abuja on Friday, October 9, after a meeting with Federal Capital Territory area council chairmen and security officials. He said he had not heard of INEC calling Amaechi’s attention to the remarks and urged the commission to enforce electoral rules against candidates who use personal insults or incite the public. The comments attributed to Amaechi were reportedly made at a town hall in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, October 8. Reports of the remarks said he described people voting for Tinubu as thieves or mad, in the context of the 2027 presidential election. The supplied accounts do not provide a complete recording or transcript establishing the exact wording and context.