Wike Blasts Amaechi Over ‘Hunger’ Claims, Labels Him a Power-Hungry Failure

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – June 2, 2025

Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering verbal attack on his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of deceit and political desperation following remarks made during Amaechi’s recent 60th birthday celebration.

In a fiery response, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s claims of hardship, describing the former Minister of Transportation as a man “hungry for power,” not sustenance.

“He says he’s hungry? He’s only hungry for power. This is a man who governed Rivers State for eight years, and then served as a super minister for another eight. Just two years out of office, and he’s crying of hunger? It’s an insult to Nigerians,” Wike stated.

The FCT Minister questioned Amaechi’s political influence, noting his inability to secure electoral victories even while holding top federal appointments.

“You say he is influential—what makes him influential? A man who couldn’t deliver 25 percent for Buhari in his own state, even when he was a super minister?” Wike asked rhetorically. “This is someone who once said he didn’t like money, yet we saw dollars bulging out of his pocket as he said it.”

Wike also criticized the narrative surrounding Amaechi’s public image, alleging that people tend to exaggerate his political strength.

“You people like to overrate people. This is a man who failed to win his own state. Failure is failure—being loud doesn’t make you a leader,” he added.

The sharp rebuke comes amid growing political tensions in Rivers State and internal party dynamics that continue to pit the two former governors against each other in the battle for supremacy in the South-South region.

Wike’s remarks have sparked renewed debate about the state of Nigeria’s political class, especially the expectations placed on former public officials who have held significant positions of power and influence.