Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticized former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi following Amaechi’s recent comments about feeling “hungry” amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s statement, insisting that the former minister’s hunger is driven by a desire for political power rather than actual food insecurity.
At an event celebrating his 60th birthday last week, Amaechi expressed concern over Nigeria’s economic situation, saying, “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us in the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him. In Nigeria, politics isn’t about capitalist ideas; it’s about sharing.”
Responding to this, Wike sharply criticized Amaechi’s narrative, saying, “There’s no time for such nonsense in Nigeria. It’s puzzling why Amaechi chose his 60th birthday to spread falsehoods about hunger.”
He questioned Amaechi’s sincerity, highlighting his extensive political career. “Amaechi served as Speaker from 1999 to 2007, Governor from 2007 to 2015, and Minister from 2015 to 2023. He never raised concerns about hunger during those years,” Wike pointed out.
The FCT Minister further accused Amaechi of forming political alliances purely out of a hunger for power rather than genuine patriotism. “They’re regrouping now, driven only by a thirst for power. This just exposes his failure. How can someone trivialize the issue of hunger?” Wike said, alleging Amaechi teamed up with Atiku Abubakar simply because he cannot operate without government influence.
Wike also mocked Amaechi’s previous political campaigns, noting, “Despite being the campaign director-general, he failed to deliver even 25% of the votes for Buhari in elections.”
Expressing relief that the PDP was not supported in the last elections, Wike hinted that Amaechi might have taken undue credit. “Thank God we didn’t back the PDP; otherwise, he would have claimed the glory,” he remarked, challenging Amaechi’s call to remove the president.
“Let’s hear how he intends to remove the president. Is it through a military coup? The word ‘removal’ often connotes dictatorship or coups,” Wike argued. “I am not a liability but an asset, and whether he likes it or not, I will help ensure President Tinubu wins a second term.”
Both Wike and Amaechi, who come from Rivers State, have a long-standing political rivalry. Amaechi’s political journey includes serving as Speaker from 1999 to 2007, two terms as governor until 2015, and as Minister of Transportation until 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Leave a Reply