Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has responded to recent criticism from Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating that he will not engage in a war of words with “children.”
Speaking on ARISE TV on Tuesday, Amaechi addressed Wike’s reaction to his recent remarks on Nigeria’s economic hardship, particularly the widespread hunger. During his 60th birthday celebration, Amaechi had voiced concern over the country’s direction, calling for change.
“We’re all hungry all of us,” Amaechi said. “If you’re not hungry, I am. For us in the opposition, if we want to remove the man in power, we can.”
He also criticized the nature of governance and leadership in Nigeria, saying.
“Nigerian elites are not the problem, it’s the followership. There are no capitalists in Nigeria. Do we even produce anything? Do we really want to be a country?”
In a media chat on Monday, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s comments as politically motivated, accusing him of only speaking out now because he’s no longer in office.
“He never talked about hunger while he was Minister of Transportation,” Wike said. “Now he’s suddenly concerned? He’s just hungry for power.”
In response, Amaechi rejected Wike’s claim of playing a key role in his political rise.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the people of Rivers made me governor. Ask him how he made me governor,” he said. “I say this because I won’t join issues with children.”
Amaechi also shed light on his decision to appoint Wike as Chief of Staff instead of Commissioner for Finance.
“Mohammed Adoke came from Abuja asking me to appoint him as Commissioner for Finance. I refused. I made him Chief of Staff so I could supervise him directly. He didn’t appoint himself.”
Taking a final jab at Wike’s political rise, Amaechi remarked “He made himself local government chairman, made himself minister, made himself governor. There’s no more respect for family names people just do and say anything now.”
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