By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, dismissing his recent remark about being “hungry” as a veiled expression of political desperation rather than economic hardship.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike said Amaechi’s comments were misleading and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians.
He argued that after more than two decades of holding high-level public offices, Amaechi cannot credibly claim to be hungry for food.
“Amaechi is not hungry for food; he is hungry for power,” Wike declared. “How can someone who has been Speaker, Governor, and Minister turn around to say he’s hungry? What kind of hunger is that, if not for power?”
Amaechi had made the controversial statement during his 60th birthday celebration last week, saying, “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us in the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him.”
Responding, Wike said such comments betray Amaechi’s obsession with remaining in the political spotlight.
“He chose his 60th birthday; a moment of reflection and gratitude to mislead Nigerians,” Wike said. “That’s not hunger for food. That’s hunger for relevance and control.”
The two political heavyweights, both former governors of Rivers State, have a long-standing rivalry dating back to their days in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), before political realignments placed them on opposing sides of the national divide.
Wike emphasized that Nigerians are more concerned about meaningful leadership than recycled political rhetoric.
“We have no time to listen to nonsense in Nigeria. What Nigerians need is governance, not attention-seeking from retired power seekers,” he said.
Wike’s remarks underscore the deepening rift between the two political figures and highlight the ongoing battle for influence in Rivers State and beyond.
