Rivers ADC Counters Wike, Says Amaechi Approved Hand of God Cathedral in 2010

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that former governor Rotimi Amaechi refused to approve the construction of the newly commissioned Hand of God Cathedral belonging to Salvation Ministries.

Wike had reportedly made the allegation during a town hall meeting in Abuja on Monday, claiming that the approval for the cathedral’s construction was granted by a subsequent administration.

However, the Rivers ADC chapter dismissed the minister’s account, insisting that Amaechi approved the project in 2010 during his first term as governor of the state.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, made the clarification in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday.

Enyi maintained that Amaechi not only approved the construction but also personally performed the foundation-laying ceremony for the Salvation Ministries headquarters.

He further argued that Wike’s contribution was limited to granting the Certificate of Occupancy, while the initial building approval came from the Amaechi administration.

According to Enyi, construction of the project was affected by the rerouting of a road, which also impacted a building belonging to Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

He said Amaechi personally met with Adeboye and appealed to him to relocate the affected building to allow the road project to proceed.

“Adeboye agreed and the Rivers State Government paid full damages to the Redeemed Christian Church. That building is still there because Wike abandoned the road,” Enyi added.

The ADC’s response has added another dimension to the political disagreement between Wike and Amaechi, with the party insisting that the former governor played a direct role in approving the cathedral project.