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Says Ex-Rivers Governor Hungry for Power
- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has slammed former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his criticism and call for the removal of President Bola Tinubu at the upcoming 2027 General Election.
NPO Reported that Amaechi had at his 60th birthday on Saturday faulted the Tinubu-led administration which he claimed had triggered economic hardship across the country.
The former Minister of Transportation held that the coalition party led by the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, can oust Tinubu out of power in 2027, stressing that Nigerians are hungry- including him.
Amaechi’s claim of being hungry had since sparked mixed reactions, considering his over two decades stay in power.
Also reacting to the claim while speaking at his monthly media parley on Monday, Wike accused Amaechi of lying.
Expressing his disappointment in the ex-Rivers governor’s claim of being hungry, the FCT Minister highlighted Amaechi’s political journey from being a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly to his eight years tenure as Transportation Minister after serving as governor for eight years as well.
“I don’t know how a man will choose his 60th birthday to tell lies. It’s unfortunate. Of all time, it’s your 60th birthday that people are celebrating you, you used to tell lies to Nigerians. You are hungry.
“Let me also now state this. He was Speaker in 1999 to 2007. And if anybody knows, he was the most pampered Speaker.
“Then, he was reading law in London as a Speaker. He became a governor, 2007 to 2015.
“He was still reading law in London. Eight years as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor, he never talked about hunger.
“He became a Minister from 2015 to 2023. Eight years super Minister of Transport. When you were throwing money, you didn’t talk about hunger.” Wike said.
The FCT Minister held that Amaechi is hungry for power barely two years after leaving office.
He accused him of disrespecting Nigerians, stressing that his hunger claim indicates sign of his failure across his over two decades in the helm of power.
“Two years you have left office, and in coalition because I’m hungry. He is only hungry of power and that shows failure on his part. You are insulting Nigerians.
“You joined Atiku because you are hungry. Have you not insulted Nigeria? You that just stayed out of power, now you are hungry. How will a man since 1999 to 2023 will stand before Nigerians after presiding over billions of Naira.
“This is the same man who on national television told Nigerians he doesn’t like money.
“Meanwhile Dollar was showing. And you telling Nigerians you don’t like money.” Wike added.