Judith Amaechi Rejects ₦4bn Monthly NDDC Fund Allegation by Wike

Amaechi’s Wife Denies Wike’s ₦4bn NDDC Payment Claim

Judith Amaechi, wife of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, has categorically denied recent claims made by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The allegations suggest that she received ₦4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through her non-governmental organization (NGO), Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI).

Speaking through her spokesperson, Dike Bekwele, in a statement released on July 22, Dame Amaechi described the accusation as “absurd, baseless, and a subtle political blackmail” by Mr. Wike. The total amount alleged ₦48 billion annually was linked to supposed women empowerment and training programs allegedly funded by the NDDC.

Earlier this month, Wike claimed during an interview on Channels Television that a forensic audit report, which he asserted was blocked from public release by former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, indicted Mrs. Amaechi and her NGO in massive financial improprieties.

But Mrs. Amaechi insists the claims are false and unfounded.

“Dame Amaechi did not and has never received ₦4 billion monthly from the NDDC,” the statement declared. “The partnership between ESI and the NDDC was mutual and aimed at uplifting women and youth through entrepreneurial development.”

She emphasized that neither she nor her organization has ever been indicted in any known forensic report of the NDDC and challenged Wike to make the purported document public.

“It is both absurd and a figment of Mr. Wike’s imagination,” Bekwele stated. “In the likely event that he fails to present such a report, we challenge Mr. Wike to resign as FCT Minister and apologize unreservedly to the nation.”

This dispute adds fuel to the political tension between the former governor and the current minister, who have had a long-standing rivalry rooted in Rivers State politics.