Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has responded sharply to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, asserting that it was God, former governor Peter Odili, and the people of Rivers State who made him governor in 2007.
Amaechi explained his political strategy behind appointing Wike as his Chief of Staff rather than Commissioner for Finance, saying he preferred the role to better supervise him.
“I wanted him as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him. I didn’t offer him Commissioner for Finance,” Amaechi told Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime Show on Tuesday evening. “I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
His remarks follow a political spat ignited by Amaechi’s comment at his 60th birthday celebration that “We’re all hungry.” Wike had criticised Amaechi’s statement, suggesting Amaechi’s hunger was not for food but for political relevance.
Amaechi dismissed Wike’s claims and denied that Wike played any significant role in his ascension to the governorship.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the Rivers State people made me governor,” Amaechi said. “Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
In a pointed remark, Amaechi highlighted how Wike had engineered his own rise in politics.
“You know, he made himself Chief of Staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman,” Amaechi said ironically.
(NAN)