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Amaechi Slams Wike, Calls Him ‘A Child’: ‘I Refused To Make Him Finance Commissioner’

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1 week ago

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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.

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I’m sorry, was naive to have criticized you – El-Rufai’s son begs Goodluck Jonathan

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7 hours ago

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June 14, 2025

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House of Representative member from Kaduna North, Bello El-Rufai, has said he was naive to have criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Bello, who is son of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said he is sorry for criticizing Jonathan’s administration.

The Kaduna lawmaker noted that he failed to realize that Nigeria had a good governance under Jonathan due to his naivety.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, the lawmaker said he is wiser now.

Bello said his naivety came to the fore when he saw his father preparing to visit Jonathan for political consultation.

He recalled paying his father a visit and noticed that he was going out. He asked where he was going.

Bello said: “And he said he was going to see President Jonathan, and I paused because when I was naive or when I thought ego or gratification mattered, I used to be very active in criticising President Jonathan.

“I even forgot in my naivety as many young people do, that we had governance then and I found my father saying that he is going to consult President Jonathan. I said, ‘please when you see him, tell him I am very sorry, I am wiser now’.

“The system is a problem. Now, why did I mention President Jonathan? It takes a lot, particularly in Africa, to lose an election and leave, he did that.”

El-Rufai initially had a good relationship with Jonathan and he even urged him to contest the 2011 presidential election.

Reports said after Namadi Sambo’s emergence as Vice President, El-Rufai and his family members heavily criticized Jonathan’s administration.

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This is an abuse of power, Soludo cannot hold democracy hostage in Anambra by imposing illegal and undemocratic fee of N50m for campaign billboard advert— Moghalu Campaign organization ‎

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8 hours ago

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June 14, 2025

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‎Governorship candidate in the upcoming Anambra state election, Chief George Moghalu of the Labour Party and his campaign organizers described the N50m advert levy imposed on candidates contesting the election as extortion.
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‎In a statement released on Thursday, the campaign organisation said it rejected the decision. According to the statement signed by Dr. Ikenna Agu, Director, Media and Publicity “The George Moghalu Campaign Organisation (GMCO) condemns in the strongest possible terms the outrageous and undemocratic imposition of a N50 million campaign billboard fee by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), under the directive of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration.
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‎”This illegal directive is nothing short of a well-calculated attempt to muzzle opposition voices, entrench tyranny, and commercialize our democracy to serve the narrow interests of the ruling party”
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‎”The action by ANSAA, which demands an extortionist N50 million from each of the 16 governorship candidates before they can legally advertise their campaigns, is a shameful assault on the fundamental democratic principles of fairness, inclusivity, and equal opportunity”
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‎”This illegal levy is a direct attack on our democracy and must be resisted by all well-meaning Anambrarians and lovers of freedom”
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‎”Let it be made clear: Governor Soludo and his agents cannot use state power to gag other candidates. They cannot use financial roadblocks to eliminate competition. They cannot hold democracy hostage in Anambra”
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‎They demanded for the immediate reversal of what they tagged “oppressive directive” stating that If the Soludo government has any respect for democratic values, it should allow all candidates to access campaign infrastructure on an equal and affordable basis, as guaranteed under the electoral laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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‎The George Moghalu Campaign Organisation called on INEC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), civil society organisations, and the international community to intervene swiftly and hold Governor Soludo’s government accountable for what they see as an “abuse of power”
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PRESIDENT TINUBU RESCUED NIGERIA’S ECONOMY FROM THE TIPPING POINT—- Gov Chukwuma Soludo

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15 hours ago

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June 13, 2025

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s administration salvaged Nigeria’s public finances from the brink of collapse.

In an address delivered on June 12 at The Platform Nigeria, hosted by Pastor Poju Oyemade and The Covenant Nation, Governor Soludo praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms. He called for a nationwide ethical and ideological rebirth to drive sustainable national development.

Speaking on the theme “Rebuilding Our Nation,” Soludo urged political parties across the country to unite along ideological lines as a first step toward a new, issue-based political culture.

“The audacious structural reforms embarked upon by the current administration of HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu have rescued the economy from the tipping point.”

 

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