Abuja, Nigeria – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a scathing rebuke to former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent comment on hunger in Nigeria, accusing the former Rivers State Governor of being driven by a thirst for power rather than concern for the people.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during a media briefing in Abuja, reacting to Amaechi’s statements made during his 60th birthday celebration. At the event, Amaechi lamented the state of the country, saying, “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am.” He also suggested that the opposition has the power to unseat the current administration if it chooses to act.
In response, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s claims as disingenuous and politically motivated.
“We have no time to listen to nonsense in Nigeria,” Wike said. “Why would a man like Amaechi, who has held power since 1999, choose his birthday to lie to Nigerians about being hungry?”
Wike went on to chronicle Amaechi’s long-standing presence in Nigerian politics: Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (1999–2007), Governor (2007–2015), and Minister of Transportation (2015–2023). He questioned why hunger was never an issue for Amaechi during his years in office.
“Now that he’s out of power, he suddenly remembers hunger? He is not hungry for food — he is hungry for relevance and control,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister also alleged that Amaechi was trying to regroup politically, joining opposition forces such as Atiku Abubakar under the guise of concern for Nigerians.
“From 1999 to 2023, he was part of every government. Now he’s crying hunger? He couldn’t even deliver 25% for Buhari during the election, despite being the campaign DG,” Wike added.
He took further swipes at the former Minister, saying that his suggestion that those in power could be “removed” carried undemocratic undertones.
“Let’s see how he plans to remove the president. Is it by military coup? That’s the language of dictators, not democrats,” he said. “They should start from Rivers State before they talk about removing anyone.”
Wike concluded by reaffirming his support for President Bola Tinubu, stating:
“I am not a liability; I am an asset. You may dislike me, but I am key to ensuring Tinubu wins a second term.”
The exchange highlights the deepening rift between two of Rivers State’s most prominent political figures and signals intensifying political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.
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