I wanted to monitor him closely – Amaechi reveals Why he appointed Wike as Chief of Staff

In a fresh twist to the long-standing political rivalry between Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike, the former Minister of Transportation has opened up about a key decision he made during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State.

Amaechi revealed that he deliberately appointed Wike now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as his Chief of Staff rather than Commissioner for Finance, specifically so he could “monitor him closely” while in office.

The disclosure sheds new light on the complex relationship between the two political heavyweights, once close allies but now fierce adversaries.

Amaechi’s revelation comes in the wake of a recent public spat. During his 60th birthday celebration, Amaechi made headlines when he said, “We’re all hungry,” a statement many interpreted as a jab at the current political climate. Wike, quick to respond, dismissed the comment, saying Amaechi wasn’t hungry for food, but for political relevance.

But Amaechi also disputed Wike’s imputation that he was instrumental to him (Amaechi) becoming governor, stressing that God, former Governor Peter Odili, the judiciary and the Rivers state people were responsible for his election.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Amaechi stated that as someone who hired Wike as chief of staff, he could not trade insults with him in public.

“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary and the Rivers state people made me governor,” he said.

“Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.

“I wanted him as chief of staff so I could supervise him. I didn’t offer him commissioner for finance. You see, I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.

“You know, he made himself chief of staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman.”