Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that he was instrumental to his rise to power, saying he would not “join issues with children.”
In an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday, Amaechi reminded Wike of his past position as his Chief of Staff, insisting that he held political seniority over him.
“I was once his boss. Whether he likes it or not. I hired him. I could have said no,” Amaechi stated.
The exchange between the two political rivals was reignited following remarks Amaechi made during his 60th birthday celebration, where he voiced concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship. He criticized the country’s political and economic structure and suggested that even members of the elite class, like himself, were feeling the brunt of the crisis.
“We’re all hungry. If you’re not hungry, I am,” Amaechi said. “If the opposition wants to remove the man in power, we can.”
Wike, in response during a media chat on Monday, accused Amaechi of being disingenuous, suggesting his remarks were politically driven and rooted in a desire to return to power.
“He did not talk about hunger when he was a super minister. Two years after leaving office, he’s suddenly concerned about Nigerians? He’s just hungry for power,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister also accused Amaechi of insulting Nigerians by blaming the country’s problems on the masses.
But Amaechi fired back, firmly denying Wike’s claim that he was responsible for his emergence as governor.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the Rivers people made me governor,” he said. “Ask him how he made me governor. I’m only speaking because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
He added that Wike was deliberately appointed as Chief of Staff—rather than Commissioner for Finance—so he could be closely monitored.
“I chose him as Chief of Staff to supervise him. He didn’t become commissioner for finance. He didn’t make me governor; he made himself everything—chief of staff, governor, minister, and local government chairman,” Amaechi said sarcastically.
The former minister also took aim at Wike’s leadership style, describing it as immature and disrespectful, especially towards family names and legacies.
“There’s no more regard for family names. People now just do and say anything,” he lamented.
Amaechi also criticized the current state of infrastructure in Rivers State, alleging that many of the projects completed during his tenure have been neglected or vandalized.
“It distresses me when I see those projects destroyed,” he said, contrasting his performance with Wike’s by noting that he constructed numerous flyovers without fanfare or self-promotion.
