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Amaechi Hits Back at Wike: “I Won’t Trade Insults With Children”

 Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed recent criticisms from Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying he would not descend to “trading insults” with his former subordinate.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday, Amaechi said Wike, who once served as his Chief of Staff, holds a lower political rank and should not claim credit for his rise to power.

“I was once his boss. Whether he likes it or not. I hired him. I could have said no,” Amaechi stated, rejecting Wike’s claim that he made him governor.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the Rivers State people made me governor.”

Amaechi said he appointed Wike as Chief of Staff — not Commissioner for Finance — so he could closely monitor him.

“I wanted him as chief of staff so I could supervise him… I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”

He accused Wike of self-aggrandizement, adding sarcastically:

“He made himself chief of staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman.”

Amaechi criticised Wike’s political approach as immature and damaging to public values, lamenting the erosion of respect for family names.

Turning to governance, Amaechi said he delivered major infrastructure projects, including flyovers, during his tenure without fanfare. However, he expressed dismay over the vandalisation of these projects.

He also delivered a stinging critique of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, of bias and failing to match the democratic standards set by his predecessor, Attahiru Jega.

“The current chairman of INEC, if he was the chairman in 2015, we would not have won,” he said.
“Already, INEC is biased. INEC is no longer the umpire.”

Amaechi accused INEC of undermining democracy by refusing to register new political parties. He also took aim at the Tinubu administration, accusing it of disregarding constitutional laws and suppressing the opposition.

“They don’t even obey laws. They don’t obey the constitution. They’re not allowing the opposition to register political parties,” Amaechi said. Commenting on the controversial fuel subsidy removal, Amaechi demanded full transparency and accountability for the funds saved.

“The president removed the subsidy. Where is the money?” he asked.
“Fix the East-West Road. If we deploy that money into the economy, it will change our lives.”

Amaechi further condemned the alleged suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, asserting that the president lacks the constitutional power to remove an elected governor.

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