By Ayomide Otitoju
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed recent claims by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi that he is being disrespected, asserting that “respect is earned through integrity, not age or position.”
Speaking Friday on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Wike described Amaechi’s comments as “unfortunate” and questioned his former mentor’s credibility.
Amaechi had earlier stated, “I don’t know why he doesn’t respect people like us; I am older. I brought him up in politics. Who is he?”
Responding, Wike said, “You shouldn’t be respected just because you’re 200 years old. Integrity and honour earn respect — not former titles.”
He also took aim at Amaechi’s claims of modesty and non-corruption, saying, “Anyone who claims not to like money is a big liar. He was Speaker, Governor, and Minister — yet he pretends.”
Wike and Amaechi, once political allies, fell out before the 2015 elections. The rift has since widened, with Wike succeeding Amaechi as governor and later rising to national prominence.
Amaechi is now part of a new political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which includes Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
