The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has again called on former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to explain what happened to the sum of 308 million dollars allegedly realised from the sale of gas turbines belonging to Rivers State Government.

Wike made the fresh demand during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he interacted with party leaders, traditional rulers, youths and women groups on issues of development and governance.

At the meeting, the FCT Minister questioned the whereabouts of the huge amount said to have been generated from the sale of the state-owned power assets, asking what benefits the people of Rivers State derived from the transaction.

He said the people of the state deserve to know how the money was spent, what projects it was used for and where the proceeds are, since the gas turbines were public assets purchased with taxpayers’ money for the benefit of Rivers people.

Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State after Amaechi, has consistently raised the issue of the gas turbines sale, insisting that the former governor must give account of the transaction that took place during his administration.

According to him, the sale of the gas turbines which were part of the state’s power generation investments was shrouded in secrecy, and till date, there has been no clear explanation to the people of the state on how the $308 million was utilised.

The FCT Minister maintained that accountability and transparency in the management of public resources should not be compromised, no matter how long ago the transaction took place, as public funds belong to the people and must be accounted for.

He stressed that Rivers people have the right to ask questions about how their commonwealth was managed, especially when it involves such a huge amount of money that could have been used to develop critical infrastructure and improve lives.

Wike’s renewed call has generated reactions from residents and political observers in the state, with many expressing divergent views on the matter and what the real motive behind the demand could be at this particular time.

One of those who reacted is a resident of the state, Joana Victor, who said the issue raised by the FCT Minister is very necessary and should not be swept under the carpet, but should also not be turned into a mere political fight.

Joana Victor noted that the sale of public assets is a serious matter that requires transparency and openness, and that any government that sells assets belonging to the people must be ready to explain how the proceeds were managed.

She said Rivers people have every right to seek clarification on the management of their resources, as the gas turbines were bought with public funds and the proceeds from their sale should be traceable to tangible projects or investments in the state.

The resident, however, observed that the long-standing political differences and rivalry between Wike and Amaechi may be influencing the latest exchange of words, making it look like a personal battle rather than a call for accountability.

She therefore advised that the issue should be handled with maturity and devoid of politics, so that the real essence of accountability is not lost in the heat of political arguments and counter-arguments between the two political heavyweights.

According to her, if there are documents or records showing how the $308 million was spent, the former governor should make them public for everyone to see, instead of allowing the matter to continue generating controversy in the media.

Political analysts in Port Harcourt have also weighed in on the development, saying the renewed controversy over the gas turbines sale shows the need for a proper audit of government transactions and the importance of keeping accurate records of public assets.

They noted that both Wike and Amaechi are influential figures in Rivers State politics and their disagreement over the years has continued to shape the political landscape of the state, with supporters of both camps always taking sides.

Some analysts are of the view that the FCT Minister’s town hall meeting in Etche was part of his political engagements in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, and that the issue of the gas turbines was raised to score political points.

Others, however, argue that irrespective of the political undertones, the demand for accountability is valid and should be supported by all well-meaning Rivers people who are interested in transparency and good governance.

The development is coming at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections are gradually gathering momentum across the country, with politicians and stakeholders positioning themselves and engaging with grassroots supporters.

It has therefore renewed public attention on the need for transparency in the management of public assets and the responsibility of public officials to give account of major financial transactions carried out while in office.

Observers believe that if not properly managed, the controversy could further deepen the political divide in Rivers State, which has already witnessed series of political crises and realignments in recent years.

For now, Rotimi Amaechi is yet to respond to the latest demand by the FCT Minister, but residents of the state are watching keenly to see how the matter will unfold and whether it will lead to any formal probe or investigation.

In the meantime, many Rivers indigenes have called on civil society organisations and anti-corruption agencies to look into the matter and ensure that the truth about the alleged $308 million gas turbine proceeds is revealed to the public for the sake of accountability and justice.