Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi has fired back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, saying he would not engage in a war of words with “children”.

Amaechi made the remark on Tuesday during an appearance on ARISE TV, in response to Wike’s criticism of his recent comments on the state of hunger in Nigeria.

“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary and the Rivers State people made me governor. Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children,” Amaechi said.

The exchange stems from Amaechi’s earlier comments at his 60th birthday celebration, where he expressed concern about the economic hardship in the country.

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“Nigerian elites are not the problems of Nigeria. The problems of Nigeria are the followership. There are no capitalists in Nigeria; capitalists are those with capital to invest for production. Do we produce here? I look at Nigeria and ask what are we doing here? Do we really want to be a country? What is important is how do we change this country?

“We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I’m. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power,” Amaechi said.

Wike, during a media chat on Monday, dismissed Amaechi’s comments as “politically motivated” and accused him of trivialising the plight of Nigerians.

“He did not talk about hunger. He became a minister — super minister of transportation. He did not talk about hunger. Two years after he left office and as a member of the coalition, he is talking about hunger. He is just hungry for power,” Wike said.

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“How do you insult Nigerians and trivialise poverty and hunger? You are insulting Nigerians. It is just that you have stayed out of power — that is the hunger.”

In his response, Amaechi debunked Wike’s claim of being instrumental to his rise as governor, stating that his emergence was backed by divine intervention, legal victory, and the support of the people of Rivers State.

The former minister of transportation also addressed his decision to appoint Wike as chief of staff instead of commissioner for finance, citing the need for close supervision.

READ ALSO:Court Stops Pro-Wike Rally In Bayelsa

He said, “Mohammed Adoke flew all the way from Abuja to Port Harcourt. That week he asked me to make him commissioner for finance and I said no, he has to work under me. I want him as chief of staff so I can 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. I was once his boss. Whether he likes it or not. I hired him. I could have said no.”

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

Amaechi also took a jab at Wike’s political conduct, saying, “There’s no more respect for family names. People just do and say anything.”

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening received the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Governor Adeleke was accompanied by his elder brother, renowned businessman and philanthropist, Chief Adedeji Adeleke, as well as his nephew, internationally acclaimed Afrobeat musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

The visit was disclosed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared the development via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @DOlusegun.

READ ALSO: FULL TEXT: Tinubu Seeks End To Bullying, Pledges Commitment To Children Welfare

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives in audience, H.E. Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, and Chief Adedeji Adeleke at his residence in Lagos,” Olusegun wrote.

While the details of the closed-door meeting were not made public, sources described the encounter as cordial and indicative of President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to engage with leaders and key figures across party lines.

Governor Adeleke, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has in recent times commended the President’s governance style, particularly his emphasis on national unity over partisanship.

Chief Adedeji Adeleke is widely recognized for his contributions to business and education, while Davido’s presence drew significant attention online, with many observers viewing it as a symbolic moment reflecting intergenerational and bipartisan dialogue.

The visit comes amid a wave of political consultations nationwide, although there is no official indication that the meeting was connected to the 2027 electoral cycle.

The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Abayomi Akinruntan, and the Majority Leader, Mr Ogunmolasuyi, have resigned from their respective positions.

Akinruntan represents Ilaje Constituency 1, while Ogunmolasuyi represents Owo Constituency 1; both are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The pair announced their resignations on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary session, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr Olamide Oladiji.

READ ALSO: Ondo Gov Election Tribunal Fixes Date For Judgment

Akinruntan cited political power-sharing arrangements within the state as the reason for his resignation.

In the wake of these developments, Mr Ololade Gbegudu, representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, has been selected as the new Deputy Speaker, while Mr Olatunji Oshati, from Ose State Constituency, has assumed the role of Majority Leader.

Details later…