Wike said no one gave him the Rolls-Royce — he bought it himself.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has boasted about buying a Rolls-Royce with his personal funds, insisting that it was not a gift from any contractor.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television on Friday, Wike defended his right to own the luxury vehicle despite serving in a public office, stating boldly that “nobody can do without money.”
Wike said no one gave him the Rolls-Royce — he bought it himself.
He also claimed to come from a wealthy background, saying his father had served as a general manager for several companies and owned multiple duplexes.
Wike alleged that a contractor bought a Rolls-Royce for a former governor and former Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, but Wike maintained that he would never accept such a gesture.
He insisted he was not corrupt, pointing out that no court has ever found him guilty of corruption.
Wike argued that having a love for money does not necessarily mean a person is corrupt.
He criticised Amaechi for publicly claiming that he (Amaechi) dislikes money, calling him “a big liar.”
Wike further claimed that Amaechi must have a “spiritual problem” for accusing him (Wike) of owning houses everywhere.
Wike said, “I have a Rolls-Royce.”
When asked who gave it to him, he replied that nobody gave him a Rolls-Royce; he bought it himself.
When asked with what money, he said, “Come let me tell you. Before harmatan, there was cold. I didn’t come from the same background with Rotimi Amaechi.”
When asked whether Wike was rich before, he said, “As a student, I was using a Mercedes Benz. My father was a general manager of so many companies.
“I will not say too rich for the Dangotes. But I had a small background. I’ve not denied here.”
Wike said that Ameachi was angry when he saw that he (Wike) used Rolls-Royce.
“It was not given to me by a contractor, those who are doing jobs with me? No.
“A contractor gave him (Amaechi). That was pride. He took from a contractor. I will not do that.
When asked if he is corrupt, Wike replied, “What do you mean by the word corrupt?.
“No court has found me guilty to be corrupt. When you say the word corrupt. Nobody can do without money.
“He cannot say because I said, I need money to solve this. Therefore, I’m corrupt. No. No. I need money to pay my children school fees.
“I need money to take my family’s health care. Does that make me to be corrupt? No. But when a man comes in the public to say, I don’t like money. You know that man is a big liar.
“Because he needs money to solve this problem, to solve it. We’re not going to that. I’m not a bushman. No, I’m not.
“And from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor local government, my father was one of few people who have duplexes in some road. So you cannot say that not too rich. I agree. But you cannot say that. Not at the level Ameachi came from. No, no.
“It’s not comparable at all. Never. Never. Now he said, I have houses. Amaechi was speaker for 8 years, I mean a governor for 8 years, Amaechi was a minister for 8 years. And he said he doesn’t have houses. He has a spiritual problem.”
