Former presidential spokesman and seasoned journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, has sharply criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, calling him “rude and disrespectful” over his remarks targeting former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Abati attributed Wike’s ongoing confrontations with former political allies to “hubris”—an excessive sense of pride and arrogance.
His reaction followed Wike’s recent dismissal of Amaechi’s statements during an event in Abuja, where the former governor had expressed political dissatisfaction and hinted at aligning with opposition figures, stating, “I’m hungry,” in reference to a potential coalition with Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Responding at a media parley in Abuja, Wike mocked Amaechi’s remarks, accusing him of distorting facts and seeking power under the guise of poverty.
“I don’t know why a man would choose his 60th birthday to tell lies,” Wike said. “He was Speaker from 1999 to 2007… governor from 2007 to 2015… minister from 2015 to 2023. When he was borrowing money, he didn’t talk about hunger. Two years after office, he says, ‘I’m in coalition because I’m hungry.’ He is only hungry for power, and that shows failure on his part.”
Wike continued, “How do you insult Nigerians? How do you trivialise the issue of hunger or poverty?… He joined Atiku, and el-Rufai, all because he is hungry. Has he not insulted Nigerians? Just that he can’t stay out of power.”
Abati, during a live broadcast on Arise News, condemned Wike’s remarks and attitude toward Amaechi, whom he described as Wike’s political mentor.
“When we teach students dramaturgy, we talk about flaw of character as a major trope in tragic stories. It’s called either Amartya or Hubris. I think what we’re dealing with with regard to Nyesom Wike is Hubris—Hubris, which relates to his own character,” Abati said.
He emphasized Amaechi’s influence in Wike’s political journey, stating, “Nyesom Wike is very rude, disrespectful, because Rotimi Amaechi is his boss in politics… It was Rotimi Amaechi that helped him to become local government chairman. He subsequently became chief of staff to Amaechi. It was Amaechi who recommended him to become a minister of state for education.”
Abati also pointed to a pattern in Wike’s conduct, recalling previous instances where the minister had disrespected other political leaders. “This same Nyesom Wike… has also abused Peter Odili, Sir Peter Odili, an elder statesman. There is no name he has not called Dr. Peter Odili and his wife. He even referred to him as one man and his wife as one woman. This is a statement about character,” he added.
He further warned that Wike’s behaviour could eventually extend to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “He has shown signal that he’s also going to insult President Bola Ahmed Tinubu… He pointed out that if he had known President Tinubu was going to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, he would have offered different advice. That’s already a signal to the President to know that this man you are dealing with is only interested in his own interests—permanent interests, not permanent friends.”
