The political tension between former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a new twist as Amaechi firmly stated he was once Wike’s boss, regardless of Wike’s public denial.
In a recent interview with Arise News, Amaechi responded to the controversial statements made by Wike during a media chat in Abuja. Wike had downplayed Amaechi’s political influence, stating that the former Minister of Transportation cannot be considered his boss. He further criticized Amaechi’s inability to deliver Rivers State for President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, despite serving as the Director-General of the APC campaign.
Addressing the claims, Amaechi stated:
“I was once his \[Wike’s] boss, whether he likes it or not. I hired him; I could have said no.”
He declined to elaborate on their personal relationship, saying there was no need to “go into personal life” when asked if he still hangs out with Wike.
The rivalry, rooted in their shared political history, continues to draw public attention. Wike served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State before becoming Minister of State for Education under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Their relationship later soured, especially after Amaechi joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Wike remained in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Further fueling the debate, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, took to Facebook to defend his principal. Olayinka argued that Wike was instrumental in helping Amaechi reclaim his governorship mandate in 2007 after he was forced into exile in Ghana. According to Olayinka, such loyalty and contribution negate Amaechi’s claims of superiority.
Also stepping into the fray was Arise TV anchor and former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, who criticized Wike’s conduct and labeled him “rude.” Abati stated that Amaechi was Wike’s political boss and deserved more respect.
In response, Wike fired back, accusing Abati of bias and reiterating his position that Amaechi had lost relevance, particularly for failing to secure a significant percentage of votes in the 2023 presidential election for the APC candidate.
This verbal back-and-forth reflects a deeper rift within Rivers State’s political class and highlights the power struggle between two of its most prominent figures. With both men still influential in Nigerian politics, observers believe their feud may continue to shape the political dynamics of Rivers State and beyond.
While Amaechi maintains that he once held authority over Wike, it remains clear that their political paths have diverged sharply, with neither willing to back down in what has become an enduring public rivalry.
