As the 2027 general elections approach, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have reignited their longstanding political rivalry—this time over power, hunger, and loyalty.
Speaking at his 60th birthday public lecture in Abuja themed “Weaponization of Poverty”, Amaechi lamented the state of the nation:
> “We are all hungry. If you’re not hungry, I am. If the opposition wants to remove the man in power, we can.”
Amaechi, now a leading figure in the opposition coalition aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, accused the government of fueling widespread hunger and hardship.
Wike, a staunch Tinubu ally despite still being a PDP member, hit back during his media briefing, dismissing Amaechi’s hunger claim as political drama:
> “He was Speaker, Governor, and Minister for over two decades. He never complained of hunger then. Now he’s only hungry for power.”
He further mocked Amaechi’s past statement that he didn’t like money, calling it hypocrisy and political deception.
In a swift response on Arise TV, Amaechi fired back, belittling Wike’s rise in politics:
> “I wanted him as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him. He made himself everything. I won’t join issues with children.”
A History of Bitterness
Their fallout dates back to 2012 during a fierce political crisis in Rivers State. Amaechi, from Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, was once Wike’s political godfather—appointing him as Chief of Staff and nominating him as minister under Jonathan’s administration. But the alliance crumbled, with both men now wielding power from opposing camps.
Mixed Reactions
Media personality Reuben Abati criticized Wike as being disrespectful to his former mentor.
> “Wike is rude. Amaechi made him politically,” Abati stated.
However, Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed that notion, reminding the public of Wike’s role in reclaiming Amaechi’s 2007 mandate when he fled to Ghana.
Can They Reunite?
Lawyer and activist Maduabuchi Idam suggests that resource control, not ideology, is the root of their feud:
> “Give them both control over Rivers’ resources, and they’ll unite against a third party.”