Wike Asks INEC to Sanction Amaechi over ‘Mad Man’ Comment

Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction Rotimi Amaechi over his recent remarks against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with FCT area council chairmen in Abuja on Friday, Wike described the remarks as “irresponsible and inciting”.

At a townhall in Benin City, the Edo state capital, on Thursday, Amaechi, vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said only mad people would vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“I read ‌‌⁠⁠‍⁠⁠‍‌‍‌‌‌on social media that it is only in 2027 that we will know how many mad men we have in Nigeria. It is only a mad man that can vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.

“If you are not a mad man, then Tinubu should not win here.”

‘AGENCIES SHOULD TAKE THEIR FUNCTIONS SERIOUSLY’

Wike expressed disappointment over what he described as regulatory inaction in response to Amaechi’s remarks, adding that such “irresponsible behaviour” should not go unchallenged.

“Up till now, I have not heard that INEC has been able to call the attention of Amaechi,” he said.

“All of us watched on television yesterday (Thursday) where he said it’s only thieves that can vote for President Tinubu, and that only mad people will go and vote for Tinubu, and that if Edo people vote for him, it means the people are mad.

“This is supposedly a vice-presidential candidate of a political party seeking to take over power and preside over the affairs of this country.

“Not just an ordinary politician — a vice-presidential candidate – telling voters and telling Nigerians that only thieves and mad people will vote for President Tinubu.

“If he continues along this line, it will be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. We will make it difficult for him.

“You cannot sit down, call voters madmen and thieves, and expect to walk away free.”

The minister expressed concern over the growing use of personal insults and inflammatory remarks in campaign rhetoric.

He called on INEC to enforce electoral regulations strictly and hold political candidates accountable for non-issue-based campaigns that focus on personal attacks rather than issue.

“You see, one problem we have in this country is that agencies or commissions should be able to take their functions seriously,” he said.

“Many Nigerians have called on INEC to sanction political parties, candidates or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based.

“We have been told to go on campaigns based on issues—what are you going to do for the people—not on attacking personalities or insulting individuals.”

Wike also criticised media organisations for failing to challenge political candidates when they resort to derogatory attacks rather than discussing policy issues.