Why Lie About Hunger on Your 60th Birthday, Wike Slams Amaechi: You’re Hungry for Power, Not Food
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, over his recent remarks about hunger in Nigeria. Wike dismissed Amaechi’s statement as “politically motivated,” arguing that the former minister could not genuinely be hungry for food after spending over 20 years in various high-level political offices.
During a media briefing on Monday, Wike emphasized that Amaechi’s claim of hunger is implausible given his extensive tenure in Nigerian politics.
Amaechi had, during an event commemorating his 60th birthday, declared that he was “hungry.”
He suggested that, with the opposition’s support, President Bola Tinubu could be removed from office in the 2027 presidential election.
He said,“We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him.”
In response, Wike condemned Amaechi’s comments as an insult to Nigerians and accused him of trivializing the serious issues of poverty and hunger in the country.
According to Wike, it is “unfortunate” that Amaechi, who has held significant political positions including Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State, and Minister, would speak of hunger just three years after leaving office.
Wike described Amaechi’s assertion as a transparent bid for political relevance and power.
He remarked,“I don’t understand why a man would choose his 60th birthday to tell such blatant lies. It is regrettable.
Your 60th birthday is a time when people celebrate you, yet you chose to mislead Nigerians by claiming you are hungry.
You served eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and another eight years as Governor. During those years, you never spoke of hunger.
You then became the Minister ,the so-called ‘super minister’ of Transportation and again, you never mentioned hunger.
Now, two years after leaving office and as a member of an opposition coalition, you suddenly talk about hunger. The truth is, you are hungry for power.
How dare you insult Nigerians and belittle the grave realities of poverty and hunger? Your so-called hunger is simply the hunger for political influence that you have been denied.”
Amaechi’s political career spans over two decades. His complaint of hunger comes after nearly a three-year hiatus from active politics.
He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, then Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015. Subsequently, he was appointed Minister of Transportation by former President Muhammadu Buhari, serving from 2015 until 2022. He contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022 but was unsuccessful.
It is noteworthy that during Amaechi’s tenure as Governor, Wike served as his Chief of Staff from 2007 to 2011 before succeeding him as Governor of Rivers State.
