Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed recent criticisms from Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a “child” unworthy of serious engagement.
Amaechi who was a guest on Arise TV on Tuesday, June 3, addressed Wike’s reaction to his earlier remarks about rising hunger and hardship in Nigeria, made during his 60th birthday celebration.
Amaechi had expressed concern over the worsening economic conditions and questioned Nigeria’s direction as a nation.
He further criticised the country’s elite and questioned the productivity of Nigeria’s economy.
Reacting to Amaechi’s comment, Wike in a media chat on Monday, opined that Amaechi’s comments were “politically motivated,” accusing him of being “hungry for power” rather than genuinely concerned about the plight of Nigerians.
“When he was minister of transportation, he never spoke about hunger. Now that he’s out of power, he suddenly remembers the people,” Wike said
During his interview on Arise TV, Amaechi firmly rejected Wike’s claims and emphasized that his rise to power as governor was not facilitated by Wike but by divine intervention, legal processes, and the will of the people.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the people of Rivers State made me governor. Ask him who made him governor. I won’t join issues with children,” Amaechi said.
He also clarified that he had intentionally appointed Wike as Chief of Staff during his administration, rather than Commissioner for Finance, to keep him under closer supervision.
“When Mohammed Adoke came to Port Harcourt and asked me to appoint him Commissioner for Finance, I refused. I needed to keep an eye on him, so I made him Chief of Staff. Whether he likes it or not, I was his boss. I hired him, and I could have said no,” Amaechi stated.
Taking a swipe at Wike’s political persona, Amaechi said
“He made himself everything—Chief of Staff, governor, minister, local government chairman. There’s no more respect for family names. People just say and do anything these days.”
