By Charles Pemu 
Abuja – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his recent remarks about hunger, accusing him of being driven by political desperation rather than genuine concern for the Nigerian people.
Wike, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, described Amaechi’s statement at his 60th birthday celebration as misleading and politically motivated.
Amaechi had, during the event, said: “We’re all hungry. If you’re not hungry, I am. As the opposition, we can remove the man in power if we want.”
Reacting, Wike said Amaechi’s comments reveal his inability to stay out of power, stressing that the former governor’s long political career has disconnected him from the reality of ordinary Nigerians.
“Amaechi was Speaker from 1999 to 2007, Governor from 2007 to 2015, and Minister from 2015 to 2023,” Wike stated. “He never complained of hunger during all those years. Now that he’s out of office, he suddenly claims he’s hungry. It’s not food he wants—it’s power.”
Wike further accused Amaechi of politicising the economic challenges Nigerians are facing, suggesting the former minister’s comment was an attempt to exploit public dissatisfaction for political gain.
He said Amaechi’s history of leadership has little to show for in terms of grassroots impact, particularly in his home state of Rivers, where Wike claimed he failed to deliver electoral support to his party during the last general elections.
“As Director-General of Buhari’s campaign, he couldn’t deliver 25% in Rivers. Now he talks about removing a president. Is he talking about a coup or an election?” Wike queried.
The FCT Minister warned against using inflammatory language, noting that words like “removal” can suggest unconstitutional actions and undermine democratic processes.
“Let’s be clear—leadership changes through elections, not threats. We must be responsible with our words,” Wike added.
Wike also used the opportunity to assert his own political relevance, stating that he played a pivotal role in ensuring the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election.
“Call me what you will—I’m not a liability, I’m an asset. Without our support, they wouldn’t have succeeded. I stand firmly with this administration,” he said.
The rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, both former governors of Rivers State, continues to dominate political discourse in the region. Their longstanding feud, rooted in political ambition and shifting party loyalties, remains one of the most prominent in Nigeria’s contemporary political landscape.
As the nation looks ahead to 2027, the clash between these two powerbrokers is expected to intensify, further shaping the national conversation around leadership, loyalty, and the future of Nigerian politics.