Former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has responded to recent criticism from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, with a sharp rebuke, stating that he “won’t join issues with children.”
Amaechi made the statement during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, in reaction to Wike’s remarks dismissing his recent comments on Nigeria’s economic crisis. The exchange comes amid growing tension between the two political rivals, who have long been at loggerheads over the politics of Rivers State and beyond.
Speaking on Nigeria’s current economic hardship, Amaechi had expressed concern over the state of hunger and poverty in the country. “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power,” Amaechi said.
Wike swiftly fired back, accusing Amaechi of politicizing the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. “He is just hungry for power. How do you insult Nigerians and trivialize poverty and hunger? You are insulting Nigerians. It is just that you have stayed out of power — that is the hunger,” Wike said.
In response, Amaechi dismissed the FCT Minister’s claims and denied Wike’s insinuation that he played a key role in his emergence as governor. Instead, Amaechi attributed his rise to the combined efforts of divine providence, judicial victory, and the support of Rivers people.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the Rivers State people made me governor. Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children,” Amaechi said pointedly.
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