The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent remark about being ‘hungry.’
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja on Monday, Wike described Amaechi’s statement as misleading and disrespectful to Nigerians grappling with real economic hardship.
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He argued that the former governor’s use of the term ‘hunger’ was not about food, but a reflection of his relentless craving for political relevance.
“Amaechi is not talking about hunger in the literal sense. He simply cannot detach himself from the corridors of power,” Wike said.
The two political heavyweights, who have long been rivals in oil-rich Rivers State, both previously held the governorship of the state.
Wike succeeded Amaechi in 2015, following the latter’s completion of two terms in office.
Wike also served two terms before assuming his current ministerial position in August 2023.
Amaechi, while speaking at an event to mark his 60th birthday last Friday, declared that he was ‘hungry’ and willing to align with a political coalition led by opposition figure Atiku Abubakar in a bid to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In response, Wike dismissed the declaration as a veiled attempt to re-enter power, branding it disingenuous.
“He was Speaker of the Rivers Assembly from 1999 to 2007, then governor until 2015. From there, he served eight years as Minister of Transportation under Buhari. Not once did he mention hunger during those periods,” Wike noted.
“But now, two years out of office, he’s suddenly claiming hunger? It’s not food he’s hungry for—it’s power.”
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Wike criticised Amaechi for making such a claim on his milestone birthday, calling it dishonest and insensitive to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“To say such a thing on your 60th birthday is regrettable. Aligning with Atiku and Nasir El-Rufai under the guise of hunger is an insult to the people. He just doesn’t know how to live without power,” he said.
