Hunger Comment: Amaechi hungry for power, says Wike.

Former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi was censured by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Monday for making a statement about hunger.

At a press conference in the nation’s capital, Abuja, Wike stated that Amaechi cannot stay out of power and that his hungry comment was an affront to Nigerian sensibilities.

Wike stated that Amaechi, who has served in several high-ranking positions for over two decades, cannot claim to be hungry.

Wike and Amaechi are political rivals in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State, located in the riverine Niger Delta region. Both had previously served as governors.

Wike took over as Rivers governor from Amaechi in 2015, after the latter had served the constitutionally authorised eight-year term. Wike was also governor for eight years, from May 2015 to May 2023, before being appointed as FCT minister in August of that year.

Last Friday, at an event commemorating his 60th birthday, Amaechi stated that he is hungry and would not mind joining the opposition coalition led by Atiku Abubakar to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

However, Wike, a minister in the president’s cabinet, stated that Amaechi was hungry for power, not food.

Wike stated, “I’m not sure why a man would choose his 60th birthday to spew lies. It is unfortunate. Why would someone choose to spread falsehoods on his 60th birthday, when everyone else is celebrating?

“He was the (Rivers State) Speaker from 1999 until 2007. He was the most pampered speaker. He was a governor from 2007 to 2015. He never discussed hunger during his eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor.

“He served as a minister from 2015 until 2023, including eight years as the super minister of transportation. He didn’t mention hunger when he borrowed money for projects.

“Two years after taking office, he declares, ‘I’m in a coalition because I’m hungry. He is solely interested in power, which demonstrates his lack of success.

“How are you insulting Nigerians? How do you trivialise hunger and poverty? He joined Atiku and (ex-Kaduna governor Nasir) el-Rufai only because he is hungry; has he not humiliated Nigerians? He clarified that he is unable to remain out of power.