Former Minister of Transportation and two-time governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, saying that God, Peter Odili and the people of Rivers State made him governor in 2007.
Amaechi said his decision was strategic, explaining that he chose Wike for the Chief of Staff position instead of making him Commissioner for Finance so he could closely monitor his activities.
“I wanted him as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him. I didn’t offer him Commissioner for Finance,” Amaechi said during an interview on Arise News Chanel’s PrimeTime Show on Tuesday evening. “You see, I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
His comments came in the wake of a recent political exchange sparked by Amaechi’s statement at his 60th birthday celebration, where he remarked that, “We’re all hungry.” Wike had taken a swipe at Amaechi over comment, suggesting Amaechi wasn’t hungry for food, but rather for political relevance.
Amaechi, however, dismissed Wike’s insinuations and denied claims that Wike was instrumental to his rise to power as governor of Rivers State.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the Rivers State people made me governor,” he said. “Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
In a thinly veiled jab, Amaechi ironically disclosed how he was instrumental to Wike’s rise in politics. “You know, he made himself Chief of Staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman.”
