Politics
Amaechi Slams Wike, Calls Him ‘A Child’: ‘I Refused To Make Him Finance Commissioner’
Appearing on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Amaechi revisited the long-standing rift between him and his former political ally turned rival, Nyesom Wike.
Former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating that Wike did not make him governor and was instead a subordinate who he appointed as Chief of Staff to monitor closely.
Appearing on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Amaechi revisited the long-standing rift between him and his former political ally turned rival, Nyesom Wike.
In a fiery rebuttal, Amaechi stated that it was God, former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili, the Nigerian judiciary, and the people of Rivers State that made him governor—not Wike.
“The first thing I want to make clear is this: nobody made me Governor. It was God, Dr. Peter Odili, and the Nigerian judiciary—nobody else,” Amaechi declared.
His comments come in response to Wike’s recent jab, following Amaechi’s remark during his 60th birthday that “we’re all hungry.” Wike dismissed that statement, alleging that Amaechi was not hungry for food but for political relevance.
Amaechi, in turn, dismissed Wike’s claim that he (Wike) played a pivotal role in making him governor.
“As a journalist, nobody has ever asked that man who claims he made me governor: ‘How exactly did you make him governor?’ Right? Nobody has ever asked that question,” Amaechi stated.
He recalled the legal battle that led to his ascension as governor, noting that Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), now the Attorney General of the Federation, was his lead counsel at the time. According to Amaechi, the decisive court judgment that declared him governor had nothing to do with Wike’s influence.
“I went to court. If anything, Lateef Fagbemi, now Anthony General of the Federation was my lawyer. You can ask him,” he said.
Amaechi also recounted how Wike, then seeking a powerful portfolio, had asked to be appointed Commissioner for Finance in Rivers State after his court victory. Instead, Amaechi said he insisted on making him Chief of Staff to enable closer supervision.
“Mohammed Adoke flew from Abuja to Port Harcourt to make that case. But I said no. I wanted Wike as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him directly. I never offered him the position of Commissioner for Finance,” Amaechi revealed.
In a thinly veiled jab, Amaechi described Wike as someone who made himself everything.
“Let’s be honest: he made himself Chief of Staff, made himself Governor, made himself minister…—so let it end there. Don’t go any further,” he quipped, adding, “I don’t want to join issues with children.”
Amaechi stressed that he once had authority over Wike and still regards him as a former subordinate, despite their later positions.
“I’ve said it several times: he was my subordinate. I was once his boss, whether he likes it or not. I hired him. I could have said no. Just because we’ve both held certain positions doesn’t mean we’re equals,” he emphasised.
Highlighting his broader leadership record, Amaechi noted that beyond being a governor and minister like Wike, he also held the role of Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly—an additional feather in his political cap.
“Yes, I was a governor. He became a governor. I was a minister. He became a minister. But I was also a Speaker,” he added.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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