Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, criticized the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting that they are not equals and that he would not engage in public arguments with someone he described as a “child.”
Although Amaechi had generally avoided political commentary and refrained from mentioning Wike’s name, he addressed the topic during an interview on Arise Television under mounting pressure.
He emphasized that, as Wike’s former boss who appointed him chief of staff, he would not stoop to trading public insults.
Read Also: Wike Reacts Strongly To Amaechi’s “I’m Hungry” Comment
Wike had earlier responded to a viral comment Amaechi made during his 60th birthday — “We’re all hungry” — by saying Amaechi was not hungry for food, but for political relevance.
In response, Amaechi denied Wike’s claim that he owed his governorship to him, attributing his rise to God, ex-Governor Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the people of Rivers State.
He challenged journalists to ask Wike to clarify what role he supposedly played in Amaechi’s political journey.
Avoiding Wike’s name throughout the interview, Amaechi stated, “I was once his boss, whether he likes it or not. I hired him. I could have said no.”
He added that he deliberately appointed Wike as chief of staff — instead of commissioner for finance — so he could keep a close watch on him, and criticized Wike for never acknowledging those who helped him along the way.
“I wanted him as chief of staff so I could supervise him. I didn’t offer him commissioner for finance. You see, I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children. You know, he made himself chief of staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman’, he said mockingly.
Amaechi criticized Wike’s remarks as lacking maturity, suggesting that many politicians today act recklessly because they no longer value the reputation of their family names.
He pointed out that during his time as governor, he constructed multiple flyovers without seeking publicity, expressing surprise at the level of media hype surrounding the ones Wike has built in Rivers State.
The former minister also voiced frustration over the neglect and destruction of projects he completed while in office, saying it pains him to see those developments now being vandalized.
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