By Adekunle Sulaimon | June 2, 2025 | Abuja
In a fiery political exchange that has reignited tensions in Rivers State’s political landscape, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a direct swipe at his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent comments on Nigeria’s economic hardship.
During a media parley held on Monday in Abuja, Wike accused the former Minister of Transportation of misleading Nigerians with his claim that he is “hungry,” asserting instead that Amaechi’s hunger is not for food but for power.
Amaechi’s Controversial Comment Sparks Political Firestorm
The controversy stems from remarks Amaechi made during his 60th birthday celebration last week, where he lamented the economic state of the country. Speaking candidly, he stated, “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power.”
Amaechi further criticized Nigerian politicians for lacking ideological substance, claiming, “In Nigeria, there are no capitalist ideas among the politicians; it’s about sharing.”
However, Wike did not take these comments lightly.
Wike: “Hungry for Power, Not Food”
In his rebuttal, Wike challenged Amaechi’s sincerity, stating, “We have no time to listen to nonsense in Nigeria. I don’t understand why a man like Amaechi would choose his 60th birthday to lie to Nigerians about being hungry.”
Highlighting Amaechi’s long-standing political career, Wike listed the former minister’s positions over the last two decades — Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (1999–2007), Governor of Rivers State (2007–2015), and Minister of Transportation (2015–2023) — questioning why he never mentioned hunger during those years.
“From 1999 to 2023, he was in power consistently. Suddenly, he’s hungry? The hunger he’s speaking of is a hunger for political relevance — for power, not food,” Wike stated.
“He Failed His Party, Now He’s Grasping” — Wike
Wike continued by criticizing Amaechi’s political record, particularly his failure to deliver significant votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections in Rivers State, despite serving as the campaign Director-General for Muhammadu Buhari.
“He was a former governor who couldn’t secure even 25% of the votes for Buhari. Now he’s talking about removing a sitting president. From where? Is it a coup he’s planning?” Wike queried, suggesting that the language Amaechi used — particularly the phrase “remove the man in power” — was inflammatory and potentially undemocratic.
A Deepening Rift With 2027 in Sight?
Political analysts see this exchange as part of a broader strategic battle ahead of the 2027 general elections. Both men have been central figures in Rivers politics for decades, and while they belong to opposing factions, their rivalry could shape future political alliances.
Wike, who defected from the PDP to the APC and now serves as a key member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, has positioned himself as a critical asset in the ruling party’s efforts to maintain federal dominance.
“You may not like me, but I’m an asset to President Tinubu’s success. Unlike Amaechi, I don’t pretend to be a messiah. He should start his revolution from Rivers State if he wants to remove anybody,” Wike concluded.
Political War of Words Reflects Broader Discontent
The verbal duel between Wike and Amaechi is not just a clash of egos — it mirrors a broader dissatisfaction among Nigerians grappling with inflation, fuel scarcity, and insecurity. While Amaechi’s comments resonate with many Nigerians experiencing real hunger and economic hardship, Wike’s rebuttal underscores the suspicion that some politicians exploit these sentiments to regain relevance.
Final Thoughts
With 2027 approaching and political camps beginning to reorganize, the exchange between Wike and Amaechi serves as a preview of the fierce battles to come. Their feud — rooted in personal animosity, ideological divergence, and regional supremacy — is far from over. What remains to be seen is whether this war of words will translate into a tangible shift in Nigeria’s volatile political terrain or fade into the background noise of political grandstanding.
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