By Ayomide Otitoju
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday lashed out at his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, over recent comments about hunger, accusing the former minister of seeking a return to power at all costs.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, Wike described Amaechi’s statement as an insult to Nigerians grappling with real economic hardship.
“I don’t know why a man would choose his 60th birthday to tell lies. It’s unfortunate,” Wike said. “He served as Speaker for eight years, Governor for eight years, and Minister for another eight. At no point did he mention hunger.”
Wike’s comments come days after Amaechi, at an event marking his 60th birthday, said he was “hungry” and open to joining an opposition coalition to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
According to Wike, Amaechi’s hunger is not for food but for political relevance. “He joined Atiku, el-Rufai, and others because he is hungry. Has he not insulted Nigerians by trivialising real hunger?” Wike queried.
The two politicians, both former governors of Rivers State, have a longstanding rivalry rooted in state and national politics. Wike succeeded Amaechi in 2015 and served until 2023 before his appointment as FCT Minister.
