By PHILIP YATAI

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has called on Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction Mr Rotimi Amaechi over his recent political utterances, which he described as “irresponsible and inciting”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, had on Thursday in Benin, during the party’s town hall, said that only mad people and thieves would vote for President Bola 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.

“If you are not a mad man, then Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi was quoted to have said.

Reacting, Wike told newsmen after a meeting with FCT area council chairmen and head of security agencies in Abuja on Friday that such ‘irresponsible behaviour’ should not be allowed to go unchallenged.

He expressed disappointment over regulatory inaction regarding what he called the inflammatory statements made by the former Minister of Transportation.

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

“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,” he said.

Wike condemned the comments, describing it as unacceptable from a high-ranking political figure aspiring to national leadership.

“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,” he said.

The minister expressed deep concern over the rising trend of personal insults and public incitement in campaign rhetoric.

He called on INEC to enforce electoral regulations strictly and hold political candidates accountable for non-issue-based campaigns.

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

“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,” he said.

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