Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has slammed former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent criticisms of the Nigerian government.
According to a report by Sources, Olayinka questioned Amaechi’s moral standing to complain about governance, pointing out that he has been a major player in Nigeria’s political scene for over two decades.
“Eight years as Speaker, eight years as Governor, seven years as Minister — and he’s still blaming the government? Some people just have no shame,” Olayinka said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He noted that Amaechi has spent 21 of the last 23 years in government, only stepping away briefly, yet still feels entitled to complain about the very system he helped shape.
Amaechi’s Comments
The criticism comes after Amaechi, while speaking at his 60th birthday celebration in Abuja, expressed concern over worsening hunger in Nigeria. He also claimed he himself was “hungry,” and lamented the lack of innovative ideas among Nigerian politicians.
Amaechi added that the opposition coalition has the potential to unseat President Bola Tinubu, but internal conflicts and selfish interests often stand in the way.
He further criticized politicians for constantly fighting over the distribution of national resources rather than finding new ways to generate and grow them.
Olayinka’s Reaction
In response, Olayinka described Amaechi’s remarks as ironic and tone-deaf, especially coming from someone who has benefited extensively from the same political system he now critiques.
“Rotimi Amaechi says he’s hungry, and you support him just because you dislike the current government? Let’s be honest: since 1999, the man has barely spent two years outside of power,” Olayinka wrote.
The exchange reflects the ongoing rivalry between the camps of Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi, both political heavyweights from Rivers State who have frequently clashed over control of the state’s political landscape.
