In a statement released by her media aide, Dr. Dike Bekwele, Mrs. Amaechi challenged Wike to make public his version of the forensic audit report on the NDDC, where she or her non-governmental organization, Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), were allegedly indicted.
Wike had made the allegations during an interview on Channels Television, claiming that Mrs. Amaechi was receiving N4bn monthly from the NDDC through her NGO. He also asked President Bola Tinubu to publish the forensic audit report, stating that he would resign as minister if his claims were not found in the report.
Mrs. Amaechi described Wike's claims as "false, wild, and unfounded" and challenged him to provide evidence to support his allegations. She also asked Wike to await the publication of the forensic audit report rather than engaging in a media trial.
The statement added that the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) was a duly incorporated NGO that had partnered with the NDDC to fund human capacity programs and training for youths and women in the Niger Delta region. The partnership, according to the statement, was reciprocal and had been successfully executed since its commencement.
Mrs. Amaechi advised Wike to stop bringing the country's image to disrepute with his "uncouth and uncultured attitude," which she said was capable of undermining the nation's efforts at attracting foreign investors.