Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, has refused to respond to recent comments made by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, saying he won’t engage in a war of words with “children.”
Amaechi gave his response, albeit indirectly, to Wike’s remarks about his political relevance and past government role during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday.
Wike had earlier mocked Amaechi’s comment at his 60th birthday celebration, where he said, ‘We’re all hungry.’ The FCT minister countered that Amaechi’s hunger was not for food, but for political relevance.
The FTC minister had also said he is responsible for Amaechi’s emergence as governor.
“Nobody made me governor. God, Peter Odili, and the Nigerian judiciary made me governor. Nobody,” Amaechi responded.
“Nobody has ever asked that man that says he made me governor, how did you make this man governor? Nobody has ever asked that question.”
Amaechi further addressed his decision to appoint Wike as his chief of staff during his tenure, explaining that it was a deliberate move to keep him under close supervision.
“Mohammed Adoke flew all the way from Abuja to Port Harcourt. That week he asked me to make him commissioner for finance and I said no, he has to work under me. I want him as chief of staff so I can supervise him,” Amaechi said.
He continued, “I didn’t offer him commissioner for finance. You see, I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
The former Transportation Minister added that Wike was once under his supervision, saying, “I was his boss, whether he likes it or not. I gave him the job; I could have rejected him.”
He also ridiculed Wike’s tendency to boast about his accomplishments, saying, “Wike has promoted himself to various positions, including chief of staff, governor, minister, and local government chairman.”
