Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of terminating the employment of 10,000 youths engaged by his administration shortly after assuming office.

Wike made the allegation on Wednesday during the Renewed Hope Family’s “thank you” visit to Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The former governor also criticised Fubara for allegedly claiming credit for major road projects initiated under his administration in Ahoada and Emohua, describing the current governor as a “bad child” for failing to sustain his legacies.

“My administration deliberately invested in youth employment and critical infrastructure to reposition Rivers State as one of the most respected states in the federation. I employed 10,000 youths, but instead of allowing them to continue working, the person we handed over to cancelled their employment. Ten thousand youths. A bad child is a bad child,” Wike said.

He expressed disappointment that projects substantially funded under his watch were now being publicly credited to the Fubara administration.

“When I decided to dualise the Ahoada road, people thought it was impossible. But today, Ahoada East and Ahoada Town are coming back to be the cities they should be,” Wike said.

He stated that before leaving office, Phase One of the Ahoada road dualisation had been completed, while Phase Two, extending to Omoku, had been flagged off. The Emohua–Kalabari Road project was also awarded under his tenure.

“The job was given to Julius Berger, with an agreement to collect ₦4 billion monthly from our Internally Generated Revenue. The total cost of the Ahoada–Omoku and Emohua–Kalabari roads was over ₦80 billion,” Wike added.

According to him, payment structures were designed to ensure project completion within two years. On other road projects, including those managed by Setrako, about 70 percent of the contract sum had already been paid before his exit.

“Today, people have forgotten who laid the foundation. What is continuity?” he queried.

Wike also lamented that Rivers State, once admired nationwide, had allegedly lost its prestige.

“When I handed over, I said: ‘See where I stopped; please continue with this programme that will make our state one of the most respected in this country.’ When I was governor, Nigeria respected Rivers State. I don’t know what it is today,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Leader of the Renewed Hope Family in Ahoada and Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), urged political actors from outside Rivers State to respect its political dynamics.

“Politics is local. Go to your states and show your strength. Leave Rivers State alone. Rivers has its peculiar politics which we understand,” Nwuche said, commending Wike for his developmental initiatives and political sacrifices in backing President Bola Tinubu and supporting the election of the current governor.

He also warned that internal division weakens political structures, urging loyalty and unity among leaders.

“No governor has ever shown the kind of commitment to the development of Ahoada that Chief Wike has shown,” Nwuche said.