ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent comments about being hungry.
Wike in return, accused Amaechi of being desperate for political power rather than food.
Speaking during a media parley on Monday in Abuja, Wike described Amaechi’s statement as an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians, especially in the current economic climate.
He dismissed the hunger claim, saying that Amaechi has occupied high-ranking public positions continuously for over two decades and therefore cannot genuinely claim to be hungry for food.
“I don’t know why a man would choose his 60th birthday to tell lies. It’s unfortunate. Of all times, on your 60th birthday when people are celebrating you?” Wike said.
He went on to outline Amaechi’s political journey, noting that the former governor of Rivers State had enjoyed uninterrupted access to power and privileges for many years.
“He was (Rivers State) Speaker from 1999 to 2007. He was the most pampered speaker. He became a governor from 2007 to 2015. Eight years as Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, and eight years as governor, he never talked about hunger,” Wike said.
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“He became a minister from 2015 to 2023, eight years as a super minister of transport. When he was borrowing money (for projects), he didn’t talk about hunger,” the FCT Minister added.
Wike and Amaechi, both from oil-rich Rivers State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, have had a longstanding political rivalry.
Wike succeeded Amaechi as governor of Rivers State in 2015 after Amaechi completed his constitutionally permitted two terms.
Meanwhile, Wike himself served two terms as governor, ending his tenure in May 2023 before being appointed as FCT Minister three months later.
Last Friday, during an event to mark his 60th birthday, Amaechi had declared, “I’m hungry,” and hinted at joining the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Channels TV reports that Wike, a current cabinet member in Tinubu’s government, responded sharply back to Amaechi saying: “Two years after office, he says: ‘I’m in coalition because I’m hungry’. He is only hungry for power and that shows failure on his part.”
“How do you insult Nigerians? How do you trivialise the issue of hunger or poverty? He joined Atiku, and (ex-Kaduna governor Nasir) el-Rufai, all because he is hungry. Has he not insulted Nigerians? Just that he can’t stay out of power,” Wike added.