Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, of refusing to approve church construction projects submitted by two prominent Christian leaders during his administration.
Wike alleged that Amaechi denied the founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, approval to build the popular Hand of God Cathedral in Rivers State while he was governor.
The FCT minister made the allegation during a town hall meeting, in a video that has since gone viral on social media.
According to Wike, Ibiyeomie had sought the necessary approval to construct the cathedral during Amaechi’s administration but was unsuccessful. He claimed that the approval was eventually granted after he became governor of Rivers State.
Wike questioned Amaechi’s recent visit to the same church, suggesting that the former governor’s decision to worship there was politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He wondered why Amaechi would now identify with a church whose founder he allegedly refused to support when he had the opportunity to do so as governor.
The minister also made a similar allegation against Amaechi concerning the founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere.
Wike claimed that the former governor had refused to grant Chinyere approval to build a church in Rivers State but said he approved the project after assuming office as governor.
He further alleged that Amaechi was planning to visit the OPM church, questioning what he described as the former governor’s sudden interest in churches ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, Wike said:
“There is this leading pastor, one of our respected pastors in this country, who is from my place and doing very well.
“When he was to build that church (Hand of God Cathedral), the ADC vice-presidential candidate was the Rivers State Governor. He refused to give approval to the pastor.
“Somebody else gave approval, and now the church is going on. Yesterday, I saw the vice-presidential candidate going to that same church to worship.
“Because he wants power now, he forgets what he did. There is another one, the OPM Ministry. He refused to give the OPM pastor approval, but when I came, I gave the man approval, and the man built the church. I heard the vice-presidential candidate wants to go and worship there too.
“Why do you like to fake things, telling people lies? I will not do so.”
Wike’s comments have added another dimension to the emerging political exchanges surrounding the 2027 general elections, particularly as political figures position themselves ahead of the next electoral contest.
However, the allegations concerning the church approvals remain claims made by Wike, and Amaechi’s response was not included in the remarks provided.