Wike says Amaechi’s “hunger” claims are political lies, accusing him of being power-hungry after years in government service.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, dismissing his recent comments as falsehoods and accusing him of being “hungry for power, not food.”
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike reacted to Amaechi’s claim that he is “hungry” under the current administration. Wike condemned the remarks, which were made during Amaechi’s 60th birthday celebration, as disrespectful to Nigerians and rooted in political frustration.
“You know why I don’t like Nigerians? We have time to listen to jargons,” Wike said. “He chose his 60th birthday to tell lies. So unfortunate of Rotimi. He told Nigerians he’s hungry. No, he’s just hungry for power.”
Wike went on to question Amaechi’s legacy and record in public office, highlighting his long career in government — from Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly to two-term Governor and later a cabinet Minister.
“He was speaker from 1999 to 2007. If anybody knows, he was the most prominent speaker,” Wike said. “Then he was doing law in London. He became a governor, still doing law in London. Eight years as speaker, eight years as governor, and then a minister for another eight years.”
According to Wike, Amaechi never complained about hunger throughout his time in office. “All that time, no talk about hunger. Two years out of power, now you say you’re hungry. You’re only hungry for power.”
He accused Amaechi of using the issue of hunger and poverty to insult Nigerians. “How do you insult Nigerians like that? You’re saying you’re hungry, but you’re just desperate to remain in power. You can’t stay out of it.”
Wike also questioned Amaechi’s political strength, referencing his failure to secure a successor during his time as Rivers State governor. “He was governor till 2015. He couldn’t produce a successor. He couldn’t even give his candidate normal glory.”
Taking a swipe at Amaechi’s public persona, Wike said “These are the same men who go on national television and say they don’t like money. You overrate people.”
On Friday, the former transportation Minister Amaechi on his 60th birthday celebration, stated that Nigeria’s problems stem not from its elite class, but from what he described as a failing followership. Amaechi criticised Nigeria’s social and economic structure, questioned the nation’s productivity, and expressed disillusionment over the country’s direction.
“Nigerian elites are not the problems of Nigeria. The problems of Nigeria are the followership. There are no capitalists in Nigeria; capitalists are those with capital to invest for production. Do we produce here?”
“We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am,” he told attendees. “For us, the opposition — if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power.”
