Ola Akinwunmi
A fresh round of political sparring erupted Monday as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing attack on his long-time rival and predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, over comments the former transportation minister made regarding hunger in Nigeria.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s widely circulated remark — “We’re all hungry” — made during his 60th birthday celebration last week. Instead, Wike claimed the former Rivers governor is not hungry for food, but for political relevance and power.
“I don’t understand why a man like Amaechi would choose his 60th birthday to lie to Nigerians about being hungry,” Wike said. “He was Speaker from 1999 to 2007, Governor from 2007 to 2015, and Minister from 2015 to 2023. He never mentioned hunger during those years. Now suddenly he claims to be hungry? He’s only hungry for power.”
Amaechi’s initial comment was framed as a criticism of Nigeria’s political class and economic hardship. “If you’re not hungry, I am,” he said, highlighting widespread frustration in a nation battling inflation and economic uncertainty. But Wike accused him of exploiting the national mood to mask his desperation to return to power.
“They are regrouping,” Wike warned. “They trivialise hunger just to gather sympathy. He joined Atiku and now claims hunger. From 1999 till now, he’s never been out of government — yet he dares to say he’s hungry? Nigerians should see through this.”
The rivalry between Wike and Amaechi — both of whom governed Rivers State in succession — remains one of the most enduring and bitter in Nigeria’s political landscape. Their clash is often seen as symbolic of deeper fractures within both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition.
Wike also took aim at Amaechi’s political track record, saying, “He couldn’t deliver even 25% for Buhari as campaign DG. He’s failed in every attempt to stay relevant. Now he talks about ‘removing’ the president. What does that even mean? Is he planning a coup?”
While Amaechi has not yet responded to Wike’s latest comments, his initial remarks sparked speculation about the return of political coalitions ahead of 2027. Wike, however, dismissed the prospects of such movements gaining traction, asserting his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
“I am not a liability; I am an asset,” he said. “You may dislike me, but I’m committed to Tinubu’s second term. Let them form their coalition — we’ll see how far it goes, especially starting from Rivers.”